Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney: If your child faces criminal charges, act promptly and seek legal representation.
A juvenile criminal defense attorney can help you understand the charges, protect your child’s rights, and advocate for the best possible outcome.
Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney
A Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney represents and defends minors accused of committing crimes.
Ultimately, the goal of a Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney is to achieve the best possible outcome for the minor, considering their age, circumstances, and the specifics of the case.
Benefits of hiring a juvenile criminal defense attorney
- They can help you understand the juvenile justice system and the charges against your child.
- They can negotiate with the prosecutor on your child’s behalf.
- They can represent your child in court.
- They can help you get your child the treatment or services they need.
What criminal attorneys might push for in court
An attorney can fight for case dismissal, potentially convincing the prosecutor to drop charges by collecting proper evidence and investigating the situation.
This often occurs when mistakes are made during the arrest by police officers.
An attorney who understands juvenile cases can negotiate a plea deal, preventing your child from going to court, enduring a trial, and facing severe penalties.
A plea deal results in a lesser punishment for a lesser crime, significantly impacting your child’s future.
An attorney can also work to avoid pre-adjudication detention, fighting for your child’s release before the court hearing.
Without proper legal representation, the judge may not agree to allow your child to go home before the scheduled proceedings.
Punishment for juvenile crimes
Places like Texas have dramatically different punishments for juvenile crimes.
In a DUI case, a minor may face license suspension, while in a murder case, incarceration is a possibility.
Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney: Consequences for juvenile crimes
The probation department provides regular counseling or rehabilitation assistance from a social worker to supervise the child.
A minor receives six-month probation under deferred prosecution. If they violate the probation, the case proceeds to court.
The child could receive probation until they turn 18, which may include counseling, rehabilitation, and community service. They must report to a probation officer, and violating probation may result in a harsher penalty.
For crimes about property damage or injuries, the minor may be required to cover physical and emotional damages as restitution.
In some cases, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) may incarcerate children. If the juvenile turns 21, the TJJD can transfer them to the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to complete the sentence.