Children are the future, but even they make mistakes that shouldn’t follow them around for the rest of their lives.
If you are the parent of a child who has been accused of a crime, you are most likely very confused and wondering what options exist for your child. With the help of an experienced Minneapolis criminal defense attorney, you and your child can navigate the juvenile court system in a way that gives your child the chance to receive a fair outcome. Sometimes charges are dismissed and other times they may be reduced. The juvenile court system is different than the adult court system, especially since the Minnesota legal system doesn’t want to see a child travel the wrong path into adulthood.
Effectively Representing Juveniles Charged With Crimes
There are many types of crimes that minors can be charged with. They include:
- Assault
- Sex crimes
- Drug crimes
- Underage DWI and other traffic offenses
- Theft crimes (burglary, shoplifting, etc.)
- Harassment
- Vandalism
Juveniles can be charged with the same crimes adults are, but the penalties and how time is served can be quite different depending on the offense, the age of the minor, and the other details surrounding the offense. There have been times, however, when a juvenile has been tried as an adult because of their age and the nature of the offense, otherwise they move through the juvenile court system so their record is sealed when they reach the age of 18.
Fighting For Your Child’s Future
While the penalties may not be the same as an adult’s, it can be difficult for your child to have to pay those penalties. In the eyes of the court, however, the child should be able to deal with the penalties if they were able to handle doing the crime. Sometimes those penalties may involve being housed in a juvenile detention center, classes, community service, or probation.
When you have an experienced Minneapolis criminal defense attorney with you along the way, you have the guidance you need to navigate the juvenile court system. You also have the straightforward advice needed to know what to do when presented with options that can influence the outcome of the case. Although the emotions run high during such cases, know that you don’t have to be alone through the entire process.
Contact A Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer
Your child being accused of a criminal offense is something that is quite difficult to face. You want the best for your child, so that means you want them to be represented the way they should be so they can put the offense behind them. To learn more about the rights and options of your child, call the Olson Law Firm at 612-816-2322 to schedule a free consultation.
