criminal lawyer

1. he's 17, no longer a juvenile, so he needs a full blown criminal lawyer. 

2. It is best to find a lawyer that familiar with the court where he's charged in, so the lawyer knows what's normally can be expected.  Different county has different programs for vice crime (prostitution, alchohol, gambling etc.) 

3.  You need to find a lawyer before his arraingment (reading of the charges in court).  There will be several minor hearings before the actual trial, which in this case probably won't happen because the lawyer will settle out of court for fines and community service.  The goal is really not to get a criminal record.