Dallas Juvenile Crimes Lawyer
Juveniles (children) can be charged with virtually any type of crime an adult could be charged with, however; juvenile law is a unique area of law in that it combines both civil law and criminal law. While juvenile law was initially designed to rehabilitate young offenders, over the last few years it has changed into a more punitive area of law where juvenile records and adjudications routinely follow children into adulthood. Cases involving children between the ages of 10 and 17 are handled in juvenile courts. While these cases are technically "civil" cases rather than “criminal”, certain criminal rules and other aspects of criminal law are applied. For example, juveniles are not "found guilty" but instead are "adjudicated to have engaged in delinquent conduct".
Juvenile Crime Procedures
When juveniles are taken into custody by the police for allegedly committing a crime or engaging in other delinquent conduct they will either be released to their parent or guardian or taken to a juvenile detention center. When the child is released to a parent or guardian the parents are told their child is being charged but they can take the child home. The police will then send their information to the District Attorney. Once the District Attorney receives the information, a petition is filed with the juvenile courts. After the petition is filed, the child and his parents or guardians are "served" with paperwork to appear in court on a particular day. Meanwhile, the juvenile probation department begins their process. The probation department is responsible for gathering information about the child and their family and preparing a report for the court. In many cases, even before the petition is filed with the court a juvenile probation officer will contact the parent or the child to discuss the situation. From a legal standpoint this can be troublesome because anything said could potentially be used against the child. Accordingly, it is important that you and your child talk with a juvenile defense lawyer prior to speaking with the probation department. Although you will want to be cooperative with the probation department, you must be careful to protect your child's rights.
Juvenile Detention Center Decisions
If the child is taken to a juvenile detention center a detention hearing will be held where a judge will determine whether to detain or release the child. The judge considers five factors in determining whether to hold the child in the detention center pending court or to release the child to a parent or guardian: (1) whether the child is likely to abscond or be removed from the jurisdiction of the court, (2) whether a parent or guardian can provide suitable supervision, care, and protection for the child, (3) whether the child has a parent or guardian who is able to return him to court when required, (4) whether the child may be a danger to himself or others if released, and (5) whether the child has previously been found to have engaged in delinquent conduct and is likely to commit a new offense if released. It is important for the parents (or guardian) to be present with an experienced juvenile defense lawyer at the detention hearing to convince the judge to release the child.
If a minor in your life has been, or may be, accused of any type of juvenile crime we will help you understand the charges, possible defenses, the legal system, and your rights. The first thing you should do is contact the Dallas juvenile crime defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Roderick C. White. We have successfully represented minors accused of all types of juvenile crimes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area for years. Don’t let the repercussions of a juvenile crime permanently affect a child’s future. Whether the child is charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or other delinquent conduct, our Dallas Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyers can provide valuable representation and advice. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.