Cross-cutting practice — Juvenile law

Juvenile law attorney in Metz and Luxembourg

When a child or teenager is summoned before a judge — whether endangered, witness, victim or charged — the quality of their legal representation shapes everything that follows. The firm intervenes on both sides of juvenile law: civil protection (educational assistance) and specialised juvenile criminal justice (CJPM, in force since 2021).

When to consult a juvenile law attorney?

A summons, a report or a hearing almost always triggers a procedure whose stakes go well beyond the immediate situation. The earlier the consultation, the broader the room for manoeuvre — whether to prepare a family plan, contest a placement order, or frame a police custody.

Your child is summoned before the children's judge for educational assistance proceedings.
You have received a child welfare report or an open educational measure (AEMO) or a temporary placement order.
Your minor child is in police custody or being heard by police or gendarmerie services.
Your child is summoned before the juvenile court for offences.
Your child is heard as a witness or victim in criminal or civil proceedings.
You wish to contest a placement decision, an AEMO measure or a children's judge ruling.

Two strands, one logic: protecting the minor

Juvenile law is exercised before the same specialised courts (children's judge, juvenile court), but follows two distinct legal logics. The firm masters both and switches seamlessly between civil and criminal procedures when the situation requires it.

Educational assistance and child protection

Educational assistance is a protective civil procedure: it aims to protect a minor whose health, safety or moral development is endangered, without any punitive logic toward the parents. The children's judge may order an investigative measure, an open educational measure (AEMO) or a temporary placement. The lawyer's role is to explain the procedure, give voice to the minor and the family, negotiate the support arrangements and contest disproportionate decisions.

Proceedings before the children's judge — initial hearing, interim measures, judgment
Representation of the minor in person (legal aid as of right)
Hearing of a minor by police or gendarmerie in a civil context
Appeal against a placement or AEMO decision
Minor heard as witness or victim in family or criminal proceedings

See full civil-law page

Juvenile criminal law (CJPM)

The Juvenile Criminal Justice Code (in force since 30 September 2021) operates through specialised courts — children's judge, juvenile court, juvenile assize court — and gives precedence to educational measures over criminal sanctions. The lawyer's presence is mandatory at every stage, including police custody, where the minor cannot waive this right. The firm intervenes throughout the procedure: police custody, guilt-determination hearing, educational probation period, sentencing hearing.

Police custody of a minor — mandatory assistance, legal aid as of right
Guilt-determination hearing (CJPM stage 1)
Educational probation period (stage 2)
Sentencing hearing (stage 3) — educational measure or sentence
Single hearing for repeat juvenile offenders

See full criminal-law page

Frequently asked questions

My minor child is in police custody — what are their rights?

For a minor, the lawyer's presence in police custody is mandatory and cannot be waived, unlike for adults. The parents (or legal guardians) must be notified without delay. Legal aid is granted as of right. The duration of police custody is more strictly framed (12 hours maximum for under-13s, subject to prosecutor authorisation). The firm is regularly retained for police custody of minors in Metz and the surrounding area.

What is the difference between educational assistance and juvenile criminal law?

These are two legally distinct procedures, even though they may concern the same child. Educational assistance (Civil Code, art. 375 et seq.) is protective: it aims to protect a minor in danger, without any sanction against the parents. Juvenile criminal law (CJPM 2021) applies when a minor is charged with an offence: it may lead to an educational measure or, more rarely, a sentence. Both fall under the children's judge but with opposite logics: support on one side, judgment on the other.

My child is summoned before the children's judge — do I need a lawyer?

Yes, without hesitation. For the minor, a lawyer is granted as of right and legal aid is automatic. For the parents, a lawyer is useful as soon as the proposed educational plan is contested, or if a placement is being considered. The presence of a lawyer — for the minor, and ideally for the parents — fundamentally changes the quality of the procedure and the readability of the judge's decisions.

Can a placement decision be challenged?

Yes. The children's judge's decision can be appealed before the special juvenile chamber of the Court of Appeal, within 15 days. The lawyer prepares the appeal: analysis of the judgment, identification of contestable points, drafting of pleadings, oral argument. A placement decision is never set in stone — it is reviewed regularly and can evolve based on the family's commitment.

My child has to be heard by the courts — how do I prepare them?

The hearing of a minor — whether witness, victim or charged — operates within a protective framework (filmed hearing for minor victims, presence of a psychologist, adapted facilities). The lawyer's role before the hearing is to explain how it will unfold, recall the minor's rights (notably the right to remain silent in criminal contexts), and ensure that the questions asked respect the child's age and maturity. The firm pays particular attention to this area.

Official sources & resources

A situation involving a minor?

For a summons, a police custody or a child welfare report, the earlier the contact, the broader the room for manoeuvre. First consultation offered to assess the situation.

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