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Juvenile Defense Attorneys Palm Beach County
Much like the rest of the country, crimes committed in Florida by juveniles are handled in a different way than if an adult age committed the same crime. The definition of adult for these cases is anyone age 18 or over. Juvenile offenses can be particularly challenging as there are many avenues for resolution which allow for a young person to get back on the right track. Obviously being charged with a crime carries a large impact on the future of any young adult, that’s why it’s imperative to find a skilled juvenile defense attorney in West Palm Beach like those at Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey, P.A.
Why do I need a juvenile defense attorney?
Florida’s two-tier system for adult and juvenile offenders is designed to allow young people who make mistakes the opportunity to turn things around. Juvenile offenders are placed in programs which are less about punishment and more about rehabilitation. Young adults are not as mature or knowledgeable as adults and it would be unfair to punish them to the same standard for their indiscretions. The skilled attorneys at the Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey, P.A. understand the process for juvenile offenders and are here to help direct misguided youth back on the right track.
There are many possibilities for rehabilitation, particularly for first time offenders. With options on the table, hiring the best lawyer available to build and argue your case becomes more important. In some cases, juveniles can be released to a parent or guardian following an arrest by authorities, but all juveniles held must appear in for a hearing within 24 hours following the arrest. Juveniles have similar rights to adults in that they must be informed of the charges against them, be given the opportunity to hire an attorney and they can also refuse to testify against themselves. However, juvenile cases do not have trials involving a jury, a judge makes the decisions instead.
The justice system for juveniles is not designed to put children in jail, rather all efforts are made for pre-trial programs such as community service to let a juvenile know the severity of their actions without placing a permanent black mark on their record. The juvenile defense attorneys at the Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey, P.A. understand what’s possible in the juvenile system and are ready to assist any young adult accused of a crime.