Why You Should Hire A Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer For Your Child
We never want our children to make a mistake that could have legal repercussions. A juvenile mind doesn’t have good judgment or make the best decisions as an adult, but you hope they can differentiate right from wrong and stay out of trouble with the law. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If your teenager is facing criminal charges, you may be wondering what to do next. You want the case to go smoothly so your child doesn’t end up with a record. During this time, you should hire a juvenile criminal defense lawyer. This will better ensure your child receives the defense s/he needs to get the charges dropped.
Penalties For Juveniles
Juveniles are children aged 12 to 17. In some cases, juvenile criminal law may also apply to individuals aged 18 to 22. If your child is under the age of 12, s/he will not face prosecution. In the worst-case scenario, if your child is under 12, the court will intervene by dispatching a family supervisor to monitor them.
Punishments can be severe, but they vary depending on the crime your child committed. Common penalties that juveniles face include:
- Mandated community service
- Pay restitution
- Probation
- Juvenile detention (aka, juvie)
- Probation camp
It’s important to know what penalties your child may be facing, so it helps to have an attorney present to explain them to you. In most cases, when a juvenile is charged, it will be a misdemeanor. This is less serious than a felony, but it will stay on your child’s record. However, there are occasions when a juvenile is charged with a felony. Neither a misdemeanor nor a felony is a desirable outcome. By hiring an attorney, you have a better chance of ensuring the mistakes your child makes when they’re young will not ruin their life.
Why Should You Hire A Juvenile Defense Attorney?
Legal proceedings are difficult for anyone to handle, especially minors. A juvenile defense attorney will have experience handling similar cases and knows how to deal with minors. This is crucial when helping minors understand the legal process and what could hurt their case. The attorney will also know how to handle the parents. In their emotional state, parents may do or say the wrong thing and incriminate their children.
If your child is facing charges, it’s advised to hire an attorney right away. Both parent and child should know their rights, which can be explained in detail by the attorney. If your child doesn’t want to speak during the investigation, they are not required to divulge more than their name, date of birth, and address.
During this challenging time, an attorney can offer more than experience. They offer stability, guidance and will help you and your child understand the situation as it unfolds. It’s important to contact our criminal defense law firm in West Palm Beach to improve your chance of a favorable outcome.
What To Expect From Your Attorney
What is the mark of a good lawyer? There are many key features to be on the lookout for. As previously mentioned, you should hire a juvenile criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours. They should also have a proven track record of success. A few less obvious characteristics to look for are:
- Honesty: You may not want to hear the truth, but it’s imperative that you know if there’s a strong possibility the case won’t go your way. A good lawyer will be honest about the charges and possible outcomes because sugar coating helps no one.
- Knowledge: Make sure they are knowledgeable about the juvenile court, like possible consequences for a specific charge, alternative programs, and the behavior of various judges.
- Reputation: Of course, a good reputation in the community can only help your case. Every lawyer can say they’re honest, trustworthy, and reliable, but you should let their reputation do the talking.
The Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey, P.A.Our defense attorneys know what to expect from the juvenile legal system. We will be a strong advocate if your minor child is facing criminal charges. We have extensive knowledge and experience defending individuals who were charged with criminal defenses, and we have the case results to prove it. For a juvenile criminal defense lawyer, contact our office. Call (561) 220-6708 for a free evaluation.