Juvenile Cases

Juvenile crimes are all illegal acts committed by a minor (person below the legal age of 18).  In the past, juvenile crimes were greatly overlooked and thought of as part of the “growing” experience.  Today, juveniles committing crimes face serious, life altering legal consequences.  Juvenile crimes are no longer considered minor problems.  Law enforcement officers are constantly arresting minors in Florida for:

• theft crimes
• drug crimes
• sex crimes
• driving under the influence
• traffic violations
• gang related activity
• vandalism
• underage drinking

In most juvenile crime cases, the court’s and the prosecutor’s primary focus remains on rehabilitating the minor instead of punishing him/her.  Unlike adults, it is believed that juveniles will change their behavior if intervention and rehabilitation options are available to them early on.  However, if the criminal charges are very severe, the minor may be prosecuted as an adult, which means that the minor will be subject to adult legal punishments if convicted.  This type of situation is increasingly common, especially when the minor is charged with a felony offense.

A convicted juvenile offender faces various legal penalties, which may include:  incarceration, court-ordered counseling, probation, community service, and monetary fines.  In cases where the minor is unresponsive to the authority and instructions of his/her parents, the minor may be removed from his/her home and placed in foster care or a juvenile detention facility.  This can lead to further trauma for the parents and the minor involved.

Juvenile crime charges should never be taken lightly.  Even though a minor committed the crime, he/she will be subject to severe legal penalties if convicted.  The first thing a family dealing with juvenile crime charges should do is hire a skilled Florida attorney.  An attorney can advise the minor of their rights, negotiate charges, and prevent the minor from being charged as an adult.  Most importantly, an attorney can makes sure that the minor has a second chance at life.         
 
If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, contact the Law Offices of Travis Reinhold for a free consultation.  Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will advise you of your child’s rights and provide reliable counsel throughout the legal process.