What To Do If Your Child Is Arrested

By Author: Leonard Simmons
Total Articles: 152
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A juvenile defense attorney is always a sound go-to source if your child has been arrested, or may be implicated in a crime. A parent may receive a call from a pleasant sounding police officer, which may give the impression that a child is in good hands. This simply may not be the case. An officer may cajole a story out of your son or daughter. Whatever they say can be used against them in court, whether it is truthful or not.

A defense lawyer will advise a juvenile not to speak to police until a legal counsel is available. After receiving the information that your child has run into trouble with the law, it is important to remain calm. This is crucial for at least two reasons. For one, your child may respond poorly to a very negative and emotive response. He or she may respond by doing or saying something that could weaken their defense.

Second, if you panic after hearing about your child’s arrest, you may also make a poor decision. This may include letting your child “tough it out” in the juvenile justice system. While many may agree with the soundness of this logic, the reality is that many children do ...
... not learn a lesson after being punished for an offense. Some juveniles grow accustomed to life in the system and may try to see what they can get away with in another crime. Many experts believe that children who commit crimes are calling out for attention. Some believe ignoring these calls for help do more harm.

Juvenile court is one that hears cases involving children, usually under the age of 18. Children who are alleged to have committed crimes will normally have their cases heard in juvenile court, but the prosecution may, in extreme cases and where allowed by statute, ask that the case be handled in regular adult court. Children whose parents or guardians have neglected or abused them may also appear in juvenile court, where the case is between the state (which appears on behalf of the child) and the parents.

Your lawyer will fight against any proposition by the prosecution for a juvenile waiver, which allows proceedings to be moved from juvenile court to adult court. Being tried as an adult for a criminal defense can ruin a minor’s life. The sooner the services of a juvenile defense law firm are retained, the quicker a defense plan can be developed.

Want to learn more about a juvenile defense law firm?

Get more information: http://www.abazalaw.com