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Your Child Is in Trouble. You Need an Attorney Who Knows Juvenile Court.
When your child faces charges or CYS gets involved, the stakes are too high for an attorney who handles juvenile cases occasionally. Kevin Taccino is court-appointed by Franklin County to represent juveniles in delinquency matters and families in dependency proceedings — this is a regular part of his practice, not a sideline.
Reviewed by Kevin Taccino, Esquire — Penn State Dickinson School of Law Graduate, 20 Years Private Practice, Franklin County Court-Appointed Juvenile Attorney. See full background on the About page.
Two Separate Courts. One Attorney Who Handles Both.
Most parents don't realize that juvenile law in Pennsylvania runs on two distinct tracks — and that a child can be caught in both at the same time.
Juvenile Delinquency is what most people picture: a minor is charged with a criminal offense, and the case is heard in juvenile court rather than adult criminal court. The goal of the juvenile system is rehabilitation, not punishment — but that doesn't mean the stakes are low. An adjudication is not a conviction, and that distinction matters. Handled correctly, your child's record may be sealable. Handled poorly, the consequences can follow them into adulthood.
Juvenile Dependency
is a separate track entirely. This is where CYS or DHS becomes involved because of allegations of abuse, neglect, or an unsafe home environment. Dependency court governs whether a child is removed from the home, what services the family must complete, and ultimately whether parental rights are preserved or terminated.
When a juvenile's conduct triggers a CYS investigation into the home, both tracks activate simultaneously. Two attorneys who don't communicate is not the same as one attorney who understands how the delinquency case and the dependency case interact. Kevin handles both.
Juvenile Law Services in Franklin County
Juvenile Delinquency
When a minor is charged with a criminal offense in Franklin County, the case moves through the juvenile court system — a process with its own hearings, standards, and outcomes. Kevin represents juveniles at every stage, from the first hearing through adjudication, with a focus on rehabilitation outcomes and protecting your child's future record.
CYS & Dependency Cases
CYS involvement can move quickly, and the decisions made in the early stages of a dependency case shape everything that follows. Kevin represents parents and families in dependency proceedings from shelter care hearings through permanency reviews, advocating for family reunification at every stage.
Termination of Parental Rights
A termination of parental rights proceeding is one of the most serious actions a court can take. Whether you are a parent fighting to preserve your rights or a family seeking to finalize an adoption, this requires an attorney who understands how Pennsylvania dependency law works and what the court needs to see.
What Happens to My Child's Juvenile Record?
One of the most common fears parents bring to the first consultation is whether a juvenile record will follow their child into adulthood. In Pennsylvania, juvenile records are not automatically public, and in many cases they can be sealed — but that process requires attention from the first hearing, not as an afterthought after the case closes.
Kevin advises families on record implications early, so decisions made during the case reflect the long-term picture for your child, not just the immediate outcome.
JJuvenile adjudications are not criminal convictions under Pennsylvania law
Many juvenile records are eligible for sealing under Pennsylvania's expungement statutes
Certain serious offenses can result in transfer to adult court, where different rules apply
Early legal intervention affects which outcomes remain available
The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options exist. Waiting until the hearing date narrows the path.
Court-Appointed in Franklin County — Not Learning on the Job
Franklin County appoints Kevin Taccino to represent juveniles in delinquency matters and families in dependency cases. That appointment is a signal: the court has found him qualified to handle these cases on behalf of clients who cannot afford private counsel. When you hire him privately, you get the same attorney — one who appears in Franklin County juvenile court regularly, knows the judges, and understands how these cases actually move.
Twenty years of private practice in south-central Pennsylvania means Kevin is not new to this court, this county, or the agencies involved in these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Law in Pennsylvania
What is the difference between juvenile delinquency and dependency in Pennsylvania?
Juvenile delinquency involves a minor charged with a criminal offense, heard in juvenile court with a focus on rehabilitation. Dependency is a separate proceeding initiated by CYS or DHS when there are allegations of abuse, neglect, or an unsafe home — it governs whether a child is removed and what the family must do to achieve reunification. They are different courts, different standards, and different processes.
Can my child be tried as an adult in Pennsylvania?
In some cases, yes. Pennsylvania law allows for the transfer of juvenile cases to adult criminal court when the offense is serious enough or when the juvenile has a prior record. Transfer hearings are a critical juncture — the outcome determines which court system handles the case and what consequences are available. Attorney involvement before a transfer hearing is essential.
What should I do if CYS shows up at my door?
You have rights in a CYS investigation, and so does your family. You are not required to speak with investigators without an attorney present. The decisions made in the first days of CYS involvement — what you say, what access you allow, what agreements you sign — affect how the dependency case develops. Contact an attorney before making any statements or agreements.
Will my child have a criminal record after a juvenile adjudication?
A juvenile adjudication in Pennsylvania is not a criminal conviction. Juvenile records are generally not public and are often eligible for sealing under state law. However, certain serious offenses carry different rules, and records from cases transferred to adult court are treated differently. Kevin discusses record implications at the outset of every juvenile case.
Does Kevin handle juvenile cases outside of Franklin County?
Kevin's court appointment is specific to Franklin County, and the majority of his juvenile law practice is based there. He also serves clients in Adams, Cumberland, Fulton, and Perry counties. Contact the office to discuss your county and case type.
A Juvenile Case Requires an Attorney Who Knows the System
Kevin Taccino has spent 20 years practicing in south-central Pennsylvania courts, including regular appearances in Franklin County juvenile court as a court-appointed attorney for delinquency and dependency matters. Penn State Dickinson School of Law trained, locally embedded, and familiar with the agencies, judges, and processes that shape how these cases resolve. If your child is involved in the juvenile system — or CYS has become part of your family's situation — the time to call is now.
