Having a child accused of a crime can be a terrifying experience, especially if you’ve never had to deal with the juvenile justice system before. Will your child have to go to prison? Will they have to appear in court? While some anxiety is perfectly normal in this difficult situation, finding a criminal lawyer with experience in the juvenile justice system can help reduce uncertainty and help you understand the process.

What Parents Should Know About the Juvenile Justice System

1. Age Determines How Charges Are Filed

The juvenile justice system is reserved for defendants 17 years old and younger, but no child is too young to face charges for their actions. In Ohio and some other states, defendants under the age of 14 cannot be charged as adults, regardless of the nature of the charges against them.

2. The Records May Be Sealed

To avoid unnecessarily damaging a child’s future prospects, most states allow defendants to seal their juvenile records when they become adults. In some jurisdictions, these records might be sealed automatically, while other states might require defendants to complete an administrative process.

3. Juvenile Cases Are Decided by a Judge

Unlike adult criminal cases, juvenile offenders generally won’t receive a trial in front of a jury. To reduce the stress of the child and protect them from potentially biased members of the public, these cases are typically decided by a single judge instead.

4. Consequences Are Designed With Rehabilitation in Mind

Penalties in the juvenile detention system are usually designed to identify the source of a child’s delinquency and guide them away from a life of crime later. In extreme cases, the defendant may be remanded to a juvenile correction center, but most often the court will order counseling, tutoring, or other programs intended to put them back on the right track.

5. You Have the Right to a Criminal Lawyer

Under Ohio law, both the defendants and their parents have the right to legal counsel through every step of the process. A skilled criminal lawyer will protect your child’s rights, argue their case in front of a judge, and work to achieve the most favorable sentencing arrangement possible.
 

For over a century, the criminal lawyers at Pater, Pater & Halverson have been protecting the rights of defendants throughout the Hamilton, OH, area. If your child has been accused of a crime, you can rely on their expertise and the steadfast commitment to their clients. Visit their website for more on their criminal defense services, follow their Facebook for more legal tips, or call (513) 867-1411 to speak with an attorney and schedule a consultation.