When Your Child is Accused of a Crime
Posted February 18th, 2016 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Criminal Defense, Family Law.
What are the thoughts that come to mind when your child is accused of a crime? Fear. Anger. Disbelief. In our years of representing clients whose children have had issues with the law, we have seen it all. Some look to the court’s assistance for problems out of their control. Others are in denial and believe that their child is innocent. Whatever the case, it is important to have legal representation for a juvenile arrest.
The Juvenile Justice System
In many ways, the juvenile justice system mirrors the court system for those of age. The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty. The child may not be forced to speak out and cause further issues. One of the major differences in the two court systems is rehabilitation. Children have the opportunity to be saved and live productive lives. The juvenile justice system puts an emphasis on training and teaching young people how to live a life without crime.
Court Cases without Juries
Juvenile court is part of the family part of the county court system. It is reserved for youth who are under the age of eighteen. In some cases, the crime may be deemed so heinous that the child is charged as an adult. In juvenile court, the accused is not tried by a jury of his or her peers. Instead, a judge makes the final determination of innocence or guilt. Sentencing is often based on the best outcome as far as rehabilitation.
Sentencing
Where are juveniles who are found guilty of crimes sentenced? First, notice we did not use the term “convicted”. When a juvenile is found guilty, they are classified as delinquent. Depending on the nature of their crime, they may be referred to drug rehabs. They can be put in detention halls or sent away to special facilities designed to help them survive in society. The emphasis is on getting second chances.
Sealed Record
You may have heard that all juvenile records are sealed. Although the law does state the juvenile records should be kept confidential, this is not always the case. If the accused has hurt someone else, the victim or the family may garner some information from the juvenile record. The school the juvenile delinquent attends may also be made aware of legal issues.
Contact Us
At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have worked with a number of young people accused of crimes. We recognize the particular sensitivity of these types of accusations and are ready to provide criminal defense for juveniles. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
