What To Do if Your Child Commits a Crime?

The first thing you should do if your child was arrested is contact a juvenile criminal lawyer. The laws governing juvenile court are not the same as for adults and you will need an experienced juvenile criminal lawyer to ensure your child’s rights are not violated as well as your own.

 

Juvenile courts are set up across the US in every state. The juvenile courts handle all crimes in which a child under the age of 18 is involved unless the child will be tried as an adult. There is no real set age, however, in most states if a child is under the age of seven they are too young to be accountable and after the age of 14 they can be accountable even in adult court. The problem with charging children of a crime is that the prosecutor must be able to prove that the child has the capability “of forming the guilty mind required to be accountable in the juvenile court system.”

 

Not only is the court often in question when it comes to children, but even the treatment. The differences in treatment can be from the police officers making the arrest, the judges trying the case, and even state laws.

 

From the beginning when a police officer believes a child has committed a crime he/she has several options. The officer may detain, warn, and set free, detain, warn, and hold until a parent comes to the jail, or place the juvenile in custody and refer the case to juvenile court.

 

Next, the prosecutor will look at the case, he/she has the power to dismiss the case or proceed with charges.

 

To be prepared for juvenile court, you should consult with a juvenile criminal defense lawyer. He/she will be able to not only prepare your case, but will also provide you with information on your options and what you can expect from the court from cases that he/she has seen that are close to yours.