When your child gets arrested you can feel like a failed parent. This is where a juvenile defense attorney can help.

As a parent, you do your best to prepare your child to make good choices in the world. But sometimes, your child makes mistakes. When this happens, you want to make sure that they get the help that they need. You want to make sure that one mistake does not haunt them for the rest of their lives.

A run-in with the law can be frightening and overwhelming. Such an issue can leave you feeling confused and unsure of how to best help your child. This section of the website provides information about common juvenile offenses that your child might face.

Please peruse these pages to learn more about an offense that your child faces. For more information, and to take steps to protect your child, you can contact our team of juvenile defense lawyers.

Juvenile Process

Any parent whose child faces the juvenile court needs to know about this court process. You can get the basics for the juvenile court process on this page. Here are 10 important facts about juvenile defense:

• Juvenile court is where they prosecute minors (those under the age of 18).
• Sometimes children are tried in adult court. This can happen for some 16 and 17-year-olds, depending on their situation.
• In juvenile court you are not entitled to a jury, only a judge hears the case.
• There is no requirement for bail in juvenile court, which means your child could be detained in a detention center while the case is pending.
• The victims in your case will be told about what is happening with the case, even though the case is supposed to be sealed.
• Juvenile results can impact your child’s education.
• You are entitled to have an attorney for your child.
• If a parent is the victim, the court may appoint a non-family member as guardian of the child for court purposes. Sometimes this is another attorney trained in juvenile guardianship.
• The adult laws are the same for juvenile court, but the potential penalties are different.
• The sooner you get a lawyer involved in a juvenile defense, the sooner the lawyer can contact the state’s advocate, who will be “prosecuting” your child. It is possible to talk to the state even before your child’s court date.

Possession of Drugs and Alcohol

Many teenagers experiment with drugs and alcohol. If your child is caught with a fake ID, trying to buy alcohol, or in possession or under the influence of a drug or alcohol, they face a juvenile offense. Learn more about these issues and consequences here.

School Searches

Your child’s rights are not the same in school as they are under the law. Oftentimes, schools can search a child’s person, locker, or possessions with less cause than the police would need. You can learn more about school searches and how to protect your child on this page.

Dealing with the Police

Police officers might try to intimidate your child into confessing offenses to them. Don’t let your child be intimidated or interrogated by the police. Teach your child how to deal with the police and how to proceed if they are arrested with this information.

Fights

Fights, especially fights on school property, can cause problems for your child. They can lead to suspensions or even expulsion from school, and your child can also be charged by the police. Learn more about school fights here.

Shoplifting

While shoplifting might seem like a small issue, it can have serious consequences for teenagers. Depending on the value of what is stolen, your child could face severe consequences. You can learn more about shoplifting in this section.

Driving Issues

New drivers are not always the best drivers, and this can lead to run-ins with the law. Speeding, reckless driving, and driving passengers before it is allowed are some of the driving offenses that a new driver can face. Let our team of motor vehicle lawyers and juvenile defense lawyers help your child through a driving issue.

Getting Help

In order to get the best help for your child, you should consider hiring a lawyer. A juvenile defense lawyer knows more about juvenile offenses, defenses, and the court system than you do.