If you or your family member needs the help of a Key West juvenile lawyer, contact the experienced team at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC. Our dedicated criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience in this area of law and are prepared to vigorously advocate on behalf of your family. Call now.
Juveniles, or individuals under the age of 18, are given special treatment by Florida courts. Judges focus on rehabilitation efforts rather than punishment to correct a young person’s behavior. Minors have an incredible ability to adapt and change, and the court hopes to guide them towards a responsible adulthood.
Expungement refers to the process of removing a criminal record from the public view. In most situations, juvenile records are automatically expunged at age 21 in Florida. A competent juvenile law attorney in Key West could help with this process.
Like adults, minors have the right to remain silent and speak to an attorney upon arrest. They also have the right to contact their parents or guardians when taken into custody. Unfortunately, many individuals under the age of 18 are unaware of these rights and find themselves manipulated by more experienced law enforcement officers or detectives.
Unlike adults, juveniles can only be held for 21 days before a trial. Furthermore, similar to adults, minors also have a right to a fair trial. However, juveniles only need to prove their case to a judge, rather than before an entire jury.
A Key West lawyer could further outline juveniles’ rights during an initial case evaluation.
Young people often make poor choices, but this does not mean they are bad people. However, Florida takes juvenile behavior very seriously and operates 21 juvenile detention centers around the state.
While the “juvie” experience is invaluable for some young offenders, others could find it traumatic. Being charged with a crime is often a life-altering experience, and an attorney could help ensure the effects of poor behavior do not remain with a minor into adulthood.
A Key West lawyer could help you and your family navigate the legal process and protect a juvenile’s rights from investigation to trial. In addition, an attorney could evaluate evidence, organize witness testimony, and build a strong defense while keeping you informed from start to finish.
Don’t go to court alone. If you need help from a Key West juvenile lawyer, we are here for your family. The attorneys at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC could work hard to defend you or your child and protect your family’s rights. We understand the juvenile justice system and have extensive experience in this area of law, having helped many families like yours.
Remember, juveniles are entitled to limited detention of no more than 21 days. Time is of the essence, so call our firm now.
