Sometimes, due to peer pressure, rebellion or simply making a poor decision, minors can involve themselves in criminal activities. The field of law that deals with cases and issues involving minors who have been arrested is Juvenile law. If your child has been arrested and charged with a criminal offence, you need to make sure that he/she has access to the legal services of an attorney who is well versed in juvenile law. This ensures that you and your child receives the best and most up to date legal advice and representation.
You should hire the services of a juvenile law attorney regardless of the gravity of the matter at hand. Although the juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate a minor, it can be intimidating and confusing. One of the attorneys' responsibilities is to reduce some of the confusion and frustration that you and your child could be going through. If your son's or daughter's case goes to trial, the frustration and confusion is worse and you need a lawyer by your side to guide you throughout the whole process. A lawyer will prepare you and your minor child for what will come your way when you go to court to make sure that your child responds to questions the right way. Contacting an attorney ensures that you provide your child with the best defense.
Juvenile Justice System: Designed to Rehabilitate a Minor
In an effort to rehabilitate a minor, the juvenile justice system makes diversionary programs available to minors. Before deciding on diversionary programs, the court looks at the circumstances surrounding the child, his family and the case. First time offenders are good candidates for these programs and you can be sure that your juvenile lawyer will push for diversion. These programs are better than sending a child to jail or putting them under home restraint. Diversionary programs help minors to get a sense of direction in life to ensure that they become responsible, healthy and productive individuals in society. Recovery programs from drug and alcohol addiction are available.
In more serious cases, the court can impose punishments which include probation, doing volunteer work, drug/alcohol counseling and in some circumstances, juvenile hall or prison. If probation is imposed and the minor successfully completes it, the judge can dismiss the charges or seal the minor's criminal record.
Court proceedings are serious because they have an impact on your minor's future. You need to make sure that you take the case seriously and get a juvenile defense lawyer to provide you and your child with professional assistance. Since 1999, we have helped countless minors and their families navigate the system. If you are in the Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Corona or Riverside, CA, contact us for more information on juvenile law. We can help!