Juvenile crimes are offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18. These cases are usually handled through Florida’s juvenile criminal justice system, which involves different rules and procedures than those utilized in adult courts. The juvenile system is complicated, and cases typically progress through the juvenile justice system much more quickly. In addition, children who go through the juvenile justice system cannot be sent to prison. The primary purpose of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation, not punishment. To that end, juvenile courts attempt to devise a sentence which makes certain that the child learns from his or her mistakes and re-enters society as a productive citizen who will grow into an honest and upstanding adult.
If your child has been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you procure the services of an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney who will protect your child’s rights and work aggressively to minimize the consequences so that one incident does not ruin his or her future. A juvenile record can negatively impact your child’s future educational and career opportunities. Depending on the facts of the case, there are diversionary programs that may be available to your child which could result in dismissal of the charges. Your child may also be eligible to seal or expunge his or her Juvenile case.
Children and parents of children facing criminal charges have unique fears and concerns. Because juvenile cases involve different rules and procedures, it is important that you seek legal advice from an attorney who is well-versed in the intricacies of the juvenile justice system. At Rice Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing juveniles in all felony and misdemeanor cases, including, but not limited to, underage drinking, DUI, weapons charges, traffic offenses, theft crimes, drug crimes, and crimes of violence. Contact Phil today to discuss how he can defend your child and help to protect your child’s future through our web mail contact form, or through our main office number, 386.310.2914. We understand that you may need our assistance after-hours or on the weekends, and in such situations, we can be reached at our after-hours number of 386.255.2464.