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Facts You Should Know About Juvenile Crimes in Florida?
When your minor child is arrested and charged with a crime in Florida, it can have dire legal and emotional consequences on them, their future, and the whole family.
Juvenile crimes sometimes consist of minor infractions but can often include serious offenses. These charges can have long-lasting effects on your child, so it’s critical that their rights are protected and that they have the best possible defense available.
All juvenile crimes in Florida refer to offenses committed by minors under the age of 18. You must realize that the juvenile justice system in Florida is separate from and operates differently from the adult criminal justice system. In most cases, it tends to focus much more on rehabilitation rather than punishment of your child.
However, this does not mean that the consequences of juvenile crimes should ever be taken lightly. Your child may face severe penalties without immediate, proper, experienced, passionate, and professional defense. These consequences affect your child currently and can often negatively affect their future education, employment, reputation, and much more.
Some of the more common juvenile crimes in Florida are:
- Underage alcohol use – This includes possession or consumption of alcohol by individuals under the legal drinking age.
- Varying types of drug offenses – Such as the possession of illegal drugs, distribution and sales, etc.
- Many types of theft and shoplifting – Any crime involving unlawful taking of property.
- Underage vandalism – Damaging or defacing property, including graffiti or public or private property destruction.
- Assault and battery – Physical violence or aggressive behavior that harms others.
- School-related crimes – Such as fighting, bullying, possession of weapons, internet crimes, truancy, etc.
Some of these crimes might seem minor, but even a single charge can have long-term negative repercussions if not immediately addressed by an experienced, empathetic, and knowledgeable juvenile defense lawyer.
Some Long Term Dire Consequences of Juvenile Crimes.
As a parent of a minor, a critical legal fact you must fully understand is the long-term consequences a juvenile conviction could have on your child’s future. The critical decisions made during the juvenile legal process can have lasting effects on your child’s life well into adulthood.
For example, a juvenile conviction can affect your child’s educational opportunities. Most schools and colleges have stringent policies regarding student conduct. A criminal conviction usually will lead to your child’s suspension, expulsion, or being barred from all sports and extracurricular activities. Additionally, criminal records can almost always harm college admissions, scholarship eligibility, and more.
When your child looks for a job, juvenile offenses (unless they are dealt with professionally) can appear on any background checks. This could make it difficult for your adult offspring to secure excellent future employment. Employers are always hesitant to hire individuals with a criminal record, even if the offense occurred when they were minors.
Some juvenile crimes, especially those involving drugs or alcohol, usually result in the suspension or revocation of driving privileges. If your child loses the ability to drive, maintaining independence, attending college, or securing employment can be very challenging.
Then, you always must consider the emotional stress and anxiety that being charged with a crime can inflict on a young person. Dealing with the Florida legal process, combined with the stigma attached to having a criminal record, can have dire and long-lasting psychological effects on your child, impacting their self-esteem, relationships, and well-being.
So, no matter how slight the charge may appear, obtaining the professional, passionate, and knowledgeable advice and guidance of a juvenile defense lawyer is mandatory.
What Constitutional Rights Does Your Juvenile Have If Arrested?
The constitution of the United States guarantees that its citizens be free from illegal police conduct; many may not be aware, but this includes your minor child.
So, in any juvenile arrest, it’s still vitally important to know if any of you or your minor child’s constitutional rights have been violated. Any unlawful police conduct can lead to the suppression of evidence and any other evidence obtained after illegal police conduct.
For example, in a juvenile case, some significant questions that must be answered in any felony or misdemeanor juvenile case are:
- Was your child stopped or detained unlawfully?
- Were there eyewitnesses at the scene?
- Is the prosecution lacking evidence, or is there a conflict in the evidence presented?
- Was your child coerced to make any statements regarding the incident?
- Was your minor child their Miranda rights, and did they understand them?
- Were you present during any questioning?
The above are only a few legalities that may be questioned by your skilled, experienced, and thorough juvenile defense lawyer. However, these questions are very significant to your case, and if the arrest was not done correctly, your lawyer may mitigate the charges or even have them dropped.
Your lawyer will ensure your child understands what is occurring and tirelessly protect their constitutional rights under Florida state and federal law.
What Defense Strategies Could Help Avoid a Juvenile Record?
Most juvenile defense lawyers use a systematic and strategic approach when defending juveniles. Very importantly, they will always endeavor to make sure your child is not prosecuted as an adult. Secondly, they use all the legal tools at their command and defend juvenile crime just as ardently as they would defend an adult.
Usually, they will attempt to get the charges reduced or dismissed by comprehensively analyzing the case. They will also identify and suppress any illegal evidence.
In all juvenile cases, your child must be passionately defended and provided with intervention or guidance so this type of behavior does not reoccur.
That said, if you and your lawyer see the need, they can refer your child to services such as counseling, therapy, or other programs that will get them back on track and possibly without a criminal record.
One of the best examples of these programs is the juvenile diversion program. Most diversion programs give your child a chance by meeting specific criteria that ultimately lead to dismissing the charges against them. By utilizing a diversion program, your child may move on with their life without the adverse effects of a criminal record on file.
However, many factors will be considered, and not every juvenile case will qualify for a diversion program. One of the most critical factors is your child’s criminal record.
Entering a diversion program can significantly affect your child and their future. That said, this is yet another area where your juvenile defense lawyer’s professional experience, advice, and intervention are invaluable. Remember, your child’s future is at stake, and it always benefits you and your child to work with a juvenile defense attorney who will thoroughly advise them of all their legal options.
My Child Has Been Charged with a Crime; How Should I Proceed?
In Florida, if your minor child is arrested or charged with a juvenile crime, they face not only current dire consequences but also a negative criminal record that could follow them the rest of their lives; so, choosing compassionate, expert, and highly trained legal advice and guidance is critical to your child’s future.
But you must note that time is not on your side. It’s critical that If your child is facing juvenile crime charges in Florida, you must take immediate action to protect their future.
The juvenile defense lawyers at the Panella Law Firm are specialists in juvenile law and have the expertise needed to fight professionally and expertly for your child’s rights and future.
Call them today at 407-602-6559 for a free consultation on your child’s case. They will immediately, compassionately, and effectively fight for your child’s rights, freedom, and future.
