Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet & Riverside County Juvenile Law Attorney
If your minor child was recently charged with shoplifting, assault and battery, possession of alcohol, or another misdemeanor crime, you may be questioning whether you really need to hire a criminal attorney. If your child was quickly released to your custody, then you may reason that the crime is not serious enough to justify the expense of legal representation. While many parents and legal guardians think the same way, there are some serious reasons you need to give your child the advantage of a skilled, passionate juvenile law attorney.
Fear, Confusion, Uncertainty
The criminal justice system is scary, frustrating, and confusing for minors and the adults trying to fight for their rights. The confusion and uncertainty you feel right now will triple once your minor's case goes to court. If you want to ensure you know what to expect when you walk into the courtroom and how to respond to questions that may be asked of you, call us to discuss the defense of your child's case.
Diversionary Programs
The juvenile justice system does not deliver cookie cutter results. Cases are decided based on the individual charged and the circumstances surrounding their case. If this is the first time your child has been charged with a crime or there are other factors involved that make him/her a good candidate for diversion, a skilled attorney could ensure they are pushed into a diversionary program rather than a jail cell or home restraint.
Diversionary programs are designed to guide minors back onto a healthy, productive, law-abiding life path. Programs may address drug addiction or alcoholism if necessary, or they may allow your minor to pay for their crime through volunteer work and other community programs.
If you are worried that your minor is on a destructive path that will eventually lead to more serious criminal charges, it is critical that you discuss those concerns with an attorney so they can apply their knowledge and experience to help get your child the help they need. Diversion programs can include counseling and other resources that can help your minor turn around before it is too late.
Reduced and Dismissed Charges
In some cases, charges can be reduced or dismissed entirely when probation is completed successfully. Guidance from an attorney may also protect your minor from making statements during interviews or in court that may lead to higher charges or implication in other crimes. The current charge may be a misdemeanor, but only an experienced attorney can do the appropriate research to ensure the best outcome in the case.
What happens during and after this misdemeanor court proceeding will impact your minor's future. Contact us to schedule a consultation at our Murrieta office, conveniently located close to the Southwest Juvenile Justice Center. Besides handling juvenile criminal cases, we help Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Corona, and Riverside residents fight a variety of charges from DUI and domestic violence to possession of controlled substances and manslaughter.