Juvenile Courts
Juvenile Courts
Juveniles are tried much differently than adults and are generally not afforded all of the rights that their elders are guaranteed in criminal courts. Differences between juvenile courts and the adult criminal court system vary from state to state, and may make it even more important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your corner when confronting charges of Juvenile Criminal Defense committed by your child.
Thus, if your juvenile has been arrested and is in need of criminal defense, be sure to speak with a local criminal defense attorney who may assess your child's situation and help you proceed with confidence.
Does My Child Have the Right to a Trial by Jury?
Juveniles do not have the right to a trial by jury in most states. A handful of states have extended this right to all juvenile defendants, while some other states allow for jury trials when a juvenile is subject to be tried as an adult.
Nearly half of all juvenile proceedings are handled informally and involve the accused juvenile admitting guilt and then entering a court agreement to meet certain conditions like home detention, probation, school attendance, and drug counseling and testing.
If a juvenile case is formally adjudicated, it will likely be tried and decided by a judge. One of the local criminal defense attorneys who sponsor Total Criminal Defense may further explain the right to a trial by jury as it applies to minors in your state.
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Can My Child Post Bond?
There is no bond in most juvenile cases. In fact, bond isn't a guarantee in the adult criminal system since certain types of crimes are not "bondable." Typically, a juvenile in detention will stay there until a court determines something different, while a juvenile brought into adult criminal court will often qualify for bond and remain free pending trial. Speak with a local criminal defense attorney for more insight into if your juvenile has the right to post bond.
Do My Child's Due Process Rights Remain Intact?
Like adults, juveniles are guaranteed certain due process rights, including the:
- 5th Amendment Right against Self-Incrimination
- Right to Counsel
- Right to Call Witnesses on Their Own Behalf
- Right to Certain Procedural Protections
- Right to Have Their Parents Present when Answering Questions (In Most Cases)
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a local criminal defense lawyer to further examine your juvenile's due process rights.
How Serious Can Juvenile Sentencing Be?
The powers of juvenile courts vary from state and state and case to case, and are often dependent on such factors like the juvenile's age and the class of crime. Delinquency courts are typically limited in the length of detention available and to the facilities to which the defendants can be sentenced. However, special sentencing provisions now allow some juvenile courts to sentence minors like adults, including imprisonment. A local criminal defense attorney can help you understand exactly what is at stake if your child is facing juvenile criminal charges.
What about Fines, Costs and Restitution for Juvenile Crimes?
Parents of a juvenile are legally responsible for court costs, fines, restitution, and even the costs of drug and alcohol programs in most states. In fact, special provisions in at least one state now make parents criminally liable for certain delinquent acts by their children.
So what are your state's fines, costs and restitution for juvenile crimes? Find out by consulting with one of the qualified criminal defense lawyers in your area who sponsor Total Criminal Defense.
Juvenile Crimes May Lead to Serious Consequences
Contrary to what some people wrongly believe, juvenile offenses may lead to harsh punishments for the minor and even the parents, and should thus be taken very seriously. A local criminal defense attorney who handles juvenile delinquency proceedings in your state can provide guidance in your child's case and see which of the variations on juvenile court and/or waiver into adult court may apply.
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Call 1 (877) 445-1059 or fill out our free case evaluation form, and we'll help you schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a criminal defense attorney in your area.