Florida Juvenile Crime Attorney
There is a misconception that what someone does as a Juvenile does not count or effect them when they become an adult. This is not true. If your child commits a crime as a juvenile, that crime may stay on their record the rest of his or her life. It may effect school, employment and many other opportunities.
After initial arrest your child will either remain in secure detention for up to 21 days (sometimes longer if the state attorney requests) or they will be released to home detention. Home detention means they are on house arrest under the supervision of a parent of guardian. If your child violates any conditions of this release they will remain in secure detention.
Certain juvenile offenses can have serious consequences including programs, which is the equivalent to a juvenile prison where your child can be kept until their twenty second birthday. Your child can be placed on probation until their nineteenth birthday, with a curfew, community service, drug and alcohol courses and many more sanctions.
Depending on the severity of the charges there are circumstances where the state can charge your child as an adult. If this happens your child is subject to the same penalties as any adult defendant and could go to an adult state prison.
As a former Juvenile Prosecutor I have first hand knowledge of how the system works and what defenses may be available to get your case dismissed.
The juvenile justice system is much different than the adult system and you need a lawyer who can give your child the best chances of success throughout the case process. While the state still has to prove a juvenile case beyond a reasonable doubt, there is no jury system and all trials are in front of the judge, who becomes the trier of fact.
As a former juvenile prosecutor I had the opportunity to work on thousands of cases from Petit-Theft to Armed Robbery. For a free consultation about your child’s case please call my office today at 407-246-0066. Or you can email me with any questions.
