If your child is facing criminal charges, it makes sense that you might be feeling frightened and overwhelmed. Many parents in this situation fear that juvenile charges will result in a difficult future for their child. However, with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney, juvenile offenses do not have to derail your child’s life.
While you may feel as if your whole world has flipped upside down, there is hope. A Key Largo juvenile lawyer can help protect you or your child’s rights.
Juvenile court works a bit differently from the adult system. In Florida, juvenile courts try to emphasize rehabilitation rather than punishment. The most common juvenile offenses include crimes such as:
Minors can face misdemeanors or felonies. It is important to protect against both, as juveniles can be charged as adults at the discretion of a prosecutor. Florida has a reputation for aggressive direct-file policies in which juveniles face adult systems, but legal options do exist to prevent this from happening.
Legal representation can make a major difference in a Key Largo juvenile criminal defense case. Minors have a lot at stake, including their education and future employment prospects, and in some cases, criminal records can follow a child into adulthood.
A juvenile lawyer helps to prevent this by arguing for diversion programs or civil citations rather than time in a juvenile detention facility or jail. Lawyers can also negotiate for deferred prosecution or community service, allowing a juvenile to avoid serious criminal charges. In some cases, attorneys can secure a dismissal of charges through the successful completion of Teen Court.
Juveniles often have different sentences available compared to adults. Diversion programs are a common option for children and teens and can include civil citations, and pre-trial intervention programs. A juvenile could have a completely clear record upon completion of such programs.
A Key Largo lawyer may be able to secure just probation and community service for juvenile who commit low-level non-violent offenses.
Many juveniles and their families are unsure of what to expect when facing criminal charges. An initial consultation with a lawyer from Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC will be confidential and focused on easing your fears and building a strategy for moving forward. Our team is responsive, accessible, and solution-oriented, allowing you to move forward with your life as we build a solid defense.
Do not go to court alone. Let us stand by your family as you go through the next steps. Contact our Key Largo juvenile lawyer today for a consultation that helps get your child’s future back on track.
