CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Juvenile Crimes

Juvenile Crime: How to Protect Your Child’s Future

Juvenile crime can have devastating consequences on a family. Everything from conviction to loss of future job opportunities can lead to significant negative effects on a juvenile’s life, not to mention affecting the family as a whole. Even minor offenses like marijuana possession can result in losing a driver’s license, loss of financial aid for college, eviction from public housing, and many other negative consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to have an experienced attorney to handle and represent your child with an aggressive defense.

At our law firm, we have a vast experience in dealing with juvenile criminal defense cases. If your child has been charged with a crime, our attorneys will provide them with a competent defense. Our attorneys can review the facts of the case and determine the defense for your child. They will fight for your child and, in the event of imposition of consequences by the judge, seek counseling and rehabilitation instead of incarceration.

Juvenile court cases are heard for minors between the ages of 10 and 17. If convicted, a juvenile offender can receive probation, time in a probation camp or juvenile prison, and for more serious crimes, even try as an adult. Hence, it is imperative to contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible if your child has been arrested, charged, or is being investigated for a juvenile crime.

One exclusive aspect of juvenile cases is that the case can be dismissed by the prosecutor, judge, juvenile intake officer, or police at any stage of the process. Therefore, retaining an experienced attorney to represent your child becomes essential to help review the charges and get them dismissed as soon as possible.

A tough and aggressive defense can make a big difference in the outcome of a juvenile crime case. In some cases, a juvenile may be tried as an adult due to prior criminal history or the severity of the crime in question. The court and prosecutor evaluate specific factors to decide whether to try the case in adult court, such as the degree of criminal sophistication in the crime, the severity of the offense, and prior criminal records.

If your child is convicted as an adult for a crime, the juvenile case will be dismissed, and the court will impose penalties as if the child were an adult. The penalties for committing serious crimes such as murder can result in imprisonment in the California Department of Corrections juvenile facility (California Youth Authority). However, if the juvenile completes their sentence by the age of 25, they will be transferred to an adult prison for the remaining period.

Juvenile crimes can include serious offenses such as theft, robbery, arson, sex crimes, murder, and other felonies or misdemeanors. Therefore, in any event, it is crucial to have a competent attorney that specializes in juvenile criminal law to handle your child’s case.

Below are some examples of the types of juvenile crimes and their definitions:

|Types of Juvenile Crimes| Definition |
| — | — |
| Theft and Robbery | The act of stealing someone’s property or money without the willingness to return it.|
| DUI, Alcohol Consumption | Consumption of alcohol and drugs under the legal age limit and the act of driving under their influence. |
| Arson | Deliberately damaging a property’s asset or property by setting it on fire. |
| Speeding and Reckless Driving| Engaging in behaviors that disregard road safety leading to reckless driving. |
| Gang Crimes and Assault | Involving in gang activities and engaging in combative behaviors leading to assault. |
| Truancy and Fighting in School | Skipping school, cessation of going to classes. engages in combative activities in school in violation of school rules. |
| Running Away| Fleeing home without permission, which by U.S law is illegal if the child is under the age of 18. |
| Gun and Weapons Possession | The possession and usage of guns, and other weapons under the legal age limit. |
| Sex Crimes and Sexual Assault | The act of engaging in illicit sexual activities with others under the age of 18. |
| Battery and Assault Crimes | Intentional physical contact with another person without that person’s consent. |
| Vandalism and Graffiti | Frustrated, uncontrolled, or destructive behavior resulting in the destruction of property or defacing of surfaces. |
| Drug Possession | The act of possessing illegal narcotics and prescription medicine without a valid prescription. |
| Crimes involving Marijuana | The possession, distribution, and consumption of marijuana under the legal age limit. |
| Murder | To take someone’s life willfully and premeditatedly without any legal justification. |

At our law firm, we can provide the defense for your child’s juvenile crime case. We work tirelessly to negotiate with the prosecutor to see if there is another option besides filing a case, especially if your child was at the wrong place at the wrong time with another individual who committed the crime.

In Conclusion

Juvenile crime can have potentially devastating consequences for your child and family, leading to loss of future employment, financial aid, and many other harsh consequences. An experienced attorney can provide aggressive representation for your child by determining the appropriate defense, seeking counseling and rehabilitation over punishment, and fighting passionately to protect their future. If you are the parent or guardian of a juvenile who has been charged with a crime, our attorneys can help provide the possible representation for your child. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any further information!