Juvenile Crimes and the Consequences That Follow

 Posted on June 24, 2016 in Juvenile Crimes

It is very common for parents of children facing a juvenile offense to feel overwhelmed following the initial accusation. Is your child really guilty? How could they have committed such a crime? Who will be responsible financially, and how long or how severe will the punishment be? Juvenile crime cases can affect a child’s future in countless ways, especially when they occur during or around graduation time, during college, or before a big life transition. Jobs, career paths, and even college plans can all be impacted as a result of a juvenile offense.

Common Juvenile Criminal Offenses

The state of Connecticut sees young offenders get involved with everything from drug, theft, and assault crimes to more serious and dangerous crimes, such as murder and sex crimes. Some common juvenile criminal offenses that require proper legal representation include:

• Traffic violations due to speeding or reckless driving, DUIs, or driving without a license;
• School expulsion;
• Various white collar crimes, such as larceny or identify theft; and
• Burglary and vandalism.

When a young person commits crimes such as these, they are subject by law to pay various penalties, ranging from fines and community service to time in a detention center. The state uses the term delinquent to describe a person under the age of 18 who is found to have violated any state or federal law, a local municipal ordinance, or order of the Superior Court.

The Consequences

The same criminal statutes that apply to adults usually apply to juveniles as well, but in most cases, juveniles face a different set of sanctions and penalties than adults guilty of the same crime. When a delinquent juvenile offender is found guilty, the state can enforce a number of actions, including:

• Probation plans;
• Community service and mentoring programs;
• Warnings and arrests;
• Detention hearings and center admissions; and
• Transfers to adult court and/or prisons (cases with certain exceptions, under special circumstances).

Regardless of the nature of the crime, juveniles are subject to punishment via the court or probation department. Minor offenses are typically handled by a juvenile probation officer rather than a judge, while more serious offenses are given to the court. At his or her discretion, a probation officer may dismiss a case, order a non-judicial supervision period, or recommend judicial handling. From that point on, juveniles must often meet certain conditions before they can be released or allowed to return to their normal routine. They may be required to submit to random drug testing, electronic monitoring, or be required to adhere to certain curfews. In addition, their school attendance may be monitored and they may be required to attend individual or group counseling to address target issues.

Juvenile crimes are alarming, especially when they involve your child or a loved one. If you or someone you know is experiencing a juvenile offense incident, contact a competent Fairfield County criminal law attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner at 203-348-5846 for a free consultation.

Source:

http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?Q=383628