Your Child Made a Mistake. It Doesn't Have to Follow Them Forever.

When your teenager is arrested or charged with a crime, the fear that hits first is about the future — school, college, a career, everything you've worked to give them. We defend juveniles in Sevier County Juvenile Court and throughout East Tennessee, and we know how to protect your child's record, their rights, and their future from the very first hearing.

How Tennessee's Juvenile Court System Works — and Why It Matters

Tennessee's juvenile court system is separate from adult criminal court, and the distinction matters enormously for your child's future. When a minor is charged with an offense, the case typically begins as a juvenile petition rather than a criminal charge. If the court finds the petition proven, the outcome is an adjudication — not a conviction. That difference carries real weight when it comes to your child's record, their eligibility for expungement, and how the case follows them into adulthood.

 

Juvenile court is designed to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Dispositions can include counseling, community service, probation, or placement in a diversion program — outcomes that keep a teenager out of the adult criminal system. But none of that happens automatically. The outcome depends heavily on how the case is handled from the start, and that is where having an experienced juvenile defense lawyer in your corner changes everything.

Common Juvenile Charges We Handle in Sevier County

Tennessee courts see a wide range of juvenile cases, and we have experience defending minors across all of them.

DUI and Underage Drinking

Tennessee enforces a zero-tolerance standard for drivers under 21. Any measurable blood alcohol content can result in a DUI charge for a minor — even a level that would not trigger a charge for an adult. A DUI on a juvenile record can affect driving privileges, college applications, and financial aid eligibility. We work to challenge the stop, the testing procedures, and the evidence before any adjudication is entered.

Drug Charges Involving Minors

Possession, paraphernalia, or distribution charges involving a juvenile can escalate quickly depending on the substance and the circumstances. Tennessee courts take drug charges seriously even in juvenile proceedings, and the range of potential dispositions is wide. We review every detail of how the evidence was obtained and whether law enforcement followed proper procedure before the case ever reaches a hearing.

Assault and Fights at School

Altercations that happen on school grounds are frequently referred to juvenile court rather than handled through school discipline alone. What begins as a fight between students can result in assault charges that carry real consequences. We understand how these cases move through the system and how to present your child's circumstances in a way that reflects the full picture — not just the incident report.

Theft and Shoplifting

Theft charges are among the most common juvenile offenses in Sevier County, particularly in the tourism corridor. Even a first-time shoplifting charge can result in a juvenile record that affects future opportunities. We pursue every available option — including diversion programs — to keep a first mistake from becoming a lasting mark.

Vandalism and Property Crimes

Property damage and vandalism charges can carry restitution requirements, probation, and a juvenile record that persists longer than most parents expect. We handle these cases with the same attention we give to more serious charges, because the consequences for your child's future are just as real.

The Risk of Transfer to Adult Court — and How We Fight It

One of the most serious fears parents face when a teenager is charged with a felony is the possibility of transfer to adult court. In Tennessee, juveniles who are 14 years of age or older can be transferred to adult criminal court for serious felony charges. If that happens, your child would face adult sentencing, an adult conviction on their record, and the full weight of the adult criminal system.

 

Transfer is not automatic, and it is not inevitable. A judge must hold a transfer hearing and weigh specific factors before moving a case to adult court. We appear at those hearings and make the argument — on the record, with evidence — that your child's case belongs in juvenile court. We address the nature of the offense, your child's history, the likelihood of rehabilitation, and every factor the statute requires the court to consider. Adult court is a last resort under the law. We make sure the court treats it that way.

Juvenile Records in Tennessee Are Not Automatically Sealed

Many parents assume that a juvenile record disappears when a child turns 18. In Tennessee, that is not how it works. Juvenile adjudications are not automatically expunged or sealed. Under certain circumstances, juvenile records can be accessed by courts, employers, and others — and a prior juvenile record can influence sentencing if your child faces charges as an adult later in life.

 

Expungement is available in Tennessee for qualifying juvenile offenses, but the eligibility rules are specific and the window to act is limited. The strongest position is one where the record is clean from the start — where the charge is dismissed, diverted, or adjudicated in a way that preserves expungement eligibility. That is why having counsel at the beginning of the process, not after an adjudication is already entered, makes the most difference.

Why Parents in Sevier County Trust Shults Law Firm

We have practiced in Sevier County Juvenile Court for over 13 years. We know the judges, the process, and the specific procedures that govern how juvenile cases move through this system. When you call us, we explain every step in plain terms — for you and for your child — so that neither of you is walking into a hearing without knowing exactly what to expect.

 

We treat every family the way we would want our own family treated. That means returning calls promptly, being honest about what we are facing, and fighting hard for the best outcome available under the law. Our Google reviews reflect that approach, and so does our record in court.

 

  • 13+ years of criminal defense experience in Sevier County
  • Proven record in juvenile court proceedings and transfer hearings
  • Bilingual office — English and Spanish services available
  • Flexible payment plans to make quality representation accessible
  • Free consultations for families navigating juvenile charges

We Serve Families Throughout East Tennessee

Our office is based in Sevierville, and we represent juveniles in Sevier County Juvenile Court and across the surrounding region. Families in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the broader Smoky Mountains corridor rely on us for juvenile defense. We also serve clients in Blount County, Knox County, Jefferson County, and Cocke County.

 

If your child was arrested while visiting the area, we handle out-of-town cases as well. A tourist arrest does not have to mean navigating the Tennessee court system alone from another state.

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What Families Ask Us About Juvenile Charges in Tennessee

  • What happens to a juvenile charged with a crime in Tennessee?

    In most cases, the charge is filed as a juvenile petition and heard in Juvenile Court rather than adult criminal court. If the court finds the petition proven, the result is an adjudication — not a criminal conviction. The court then determines a disposition, which may include probation, counseling, community service, or a diversion program. The process is designed to focus on rehabilitation, but the outcome still depends on how the case is handled.

  • Can my teenager be tried as an adult in Tennessee?

    Yes, under certain conditions. Tennessee law allows juveniles who are 14 or older to be transferred to adult court for serious felony charges. Transfer requires a hearing, and the judge must weigh specific statutory factors before making that decision. An attorney can appear at the transfer hearing and argue that the case should remain in juvenile court — and in many cases, that argument succeeds.

  • Will my child have a criminal record after a juvenile adjudication?

    A juvenile adjudication is not a criminal conviction, but it does create a juvenile record. In Tennessee, juvenile records are not automatically sealed when a child turns 18. They can be accessed in certain circumstances and may affect future proceedings. Expungement is available for qualifying offenses, but eligibility rules are strict and timing matters.

  • What should I do immediately after my child is arrested?

    Do not allow your child to answer questions from law enforcement without an attorney present. Juveniles have the right to remain silent, and anything said during questioning can be used in court. Contact a juvenile defense lawyer as soon as possible — the steps taken in the first 24 to 48 hours can significantly affect the outcome of the case.

  • Does Shults Law Firm handle juvenile cases outside of Sevierville?

    Yes. We represent juveniles throughout Sevier County and in surrounding counties including Blount, Knox, Jefferson, and Cocke. We also assist families from out of state whose children were arrested while visiting the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge area.

One Call Can Change What Happens Next

The decisions made in the first days after a juvenile arrest shape everything that follows — the charges that stick, the options that remain open, and whether your child's record stays clean. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do.

 

Call us at 865-428-2345 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We will listen, explain where things stand, and tell you honestly what we can do for your family.