Most juveniles are considered to be between the ages of 10 and 17. There is a long list of offenses that could land a child or teen in juvenile court, which includes violent crimes, vandalism and drug crimes. Many juvenile crimes are often considered to be misdemeanor offenses and don’t come with harsh sentences because of the individual’s age. However, there are still times the child will be tried as an adult depending on the type of crime committed.
What crimes are tried in juvenile court?
Most offenses that are tried as juvenile crimes are misdemeanors. Truancy, running away, theft and petty theft charges, vandalism, joyriding a car, simple assault and underage drinking can all lead to juvenile court.
The court system works to rehabilitate juvenile offenders instead of punishing them for the crimes. Some crimes like trespassing or vandalism may only require paying a criminal fine and don’t always result in jail time. Judges may also order for community service to be completed or for the juvenile to enroll in rehabilitation courses. Alternative sentencing options like required counseling may also be required to improve the behavior of the child and reduce the risk of repeated crimes in the future.
Who can you contact for legal assistance?
It’s important to contact a juvenile offense lawyer to help improve the outcome of the case when heading to court. Obtaining legal defense is necessary to be informed of your rights. Juvenile crimes may still be punished more harshly without a lot of leniency, so an attorney may provide you with legal advice as well as representation in court to get the penalties minimized.