Basically, the older the child is and the more severe a crime is, the more likely that the child will be tried as an adult.  You can request to the court that your son's case be remanded to a family court.  However, the judge may decide that remanding the case to a family court is not in your son's best interests.  In a family court, while your son would have the right to an attorney, he would not have the right to a trial by jury, the judge would decide if your son is guilty.  However, in a regular court, your son would have the right to an attorney and the right to a trial by jury.  Also, you should contact the Public Defender's office in your county to see if they can provide an attorney to represent your son.