Juvenile Crimes and the Criminal Justice System

Juvenile law is an area of criminal law that deals with persons not of age being held responsible for criminal acts. Family court deals with juvenile delinquency. Unlike the criminal justice system which punishes adult offenders, the primary goal of the juvenile justice system is seeking rehabilitation. While juveniles under the age of 16 may be accused of the same crimes as an adult, with few exceptions, these cases are handled in family court. The court will consider more than just the crime involved, but will look at a juvenile’s family circumstance and school records and take all these matters into consideration in formulating an appropriate disposition.The most common charges filed against juveniles are robbery, assaults, drug abuse, vandalism, burglary, petit larceny. Penalties for juvenile crimes can result in incarceration at a juvenile detention facility, a rehabilitation facility, probation, community service or an adjournment on contemplation of dismissal. If the defendant rejects a disposition, he certainly has the option of a trial. In the family court, there are no juries. The judge decides innocence or guilt and then rules accordingly.A child who is charged with committing a crime, with habitual truancy or with incorrigibility comes within the jurisdiction of the juvenile delinquency court. The purpose of the Juvenile Delinquency Court is to protect the child, give guidance, punish children who commit delinquent acts and to protect the community.The legal process begins after the initial arrest of the individual. Arresting officers may allow the child to go home to the parent, refer the child to a community agency or require the child to return to the Police Department or Probation Department. On many occasions, they give the parent and child a notice to appear in court or detain the child in Juvenile Hall or “In Custody.” Under certain circumstances these will vary, depending on the probation officer. During this time, based on the severity of the situation, parents seek professional legal assistance of an attorney who has experience with these legal matters.Whether your child is facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, it is imperative to retain an attorney who is experienced with juvenile offenses and who will protect the legal rights of your child and explain your rights as a parent. After all, your child’s future is on the line. A competent attorney can guide you through the criminal justice system and actively deal with the situation.