When a minor is charged with a crime or even suspected of committing a crime, in my opinion it is important to seek the advice of a lawyer as soon as possible if that can be afforded. Now, if the minor is charged and they get brought in to court and they can not afford a lawyer they will be appointed a lawyer at that time. But in many cases, the damage will be already be done cause the prosecutor the one who filed a formal charges against them have to be defended. And where a retain lawyer can offer real service is during that time between the suspicion of the crime and formal bringing of charges because there are cases where the lawyer can intercede with the DA or the probation department and work something out where the minor child doesn't have to go to court and face the charges and at the end result is to try to make sure that your child has a clean record and does not suffer punishment such as being incarcerated then that's the way you want to go.