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If you have one prior conviction for any level of theft, your charges will be bumped up one bracket to a higher-level criminal offense.
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No one is above the law, even minors. Young people under the age of full legal responsibility — commonly below 18 years old — who commit a crime are considered juvenile offenders.
If you are a parent or a guardian to a child who has offended against the law, you might be wondering what types of crimes committed by young people are considered juveniles offenses. We will also discuss how these are commonly handled by the juveniles justice system.
Juveniles refer to young people below the legally established age of adulthood or the age of majority. The legal definition of juveniles and the age of majority depends on the jurisdiction, but it is commonly between the ages of 10 and 18.
In the United States, persons under the age of 18 make up a significant portion of the arrest statistics. According to the US Department of Justice, about 74% of arrests made in 2019 alone were attributed to individuals below 18 years old.
There are a number of factors that can influence youth crime and juveniles delinquency, such as:
If you are concerned that your child may be involved in criminal activity, it is important to be aware of these risk factors.
You should also keep lines of communication open with your child and be sure to monitor their activities and associations.
Juveniles can often commit crimes similar to those committed by adult offenders. However, it has been found that their demographic is more prone to commit certain offenses, such as petty crimes, violent crimes, drug abuse violations, and more.
Here are some of the most common juveniles offense according to law enforcement agencies:
Drug Abuse and Alcohol OffensesDrug abuse violations and alcohol offenses are easily the most common juveniles crime. According to studies, 80% of minors were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when they committed a crime.
If your child is arrested for alcohol and/or drug abuse violations, they will likely go through drug court. Drug courts are specialized court dockets that handle criminal cases involving substance abuse.
If your child successfully completes the drug court program, their charges will be dropped. However, if they fail to comply with the conditions of the program or are arrested for another crime, they will be subject to harsher penalties, such as jail time.
While not technically a crime, underage drinking is often the reason behind juveniles arrest. In most jurisdictions, it is illegal for minors to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol.
If your child is caught with alcohol, they will likely be fined and/or made to perform community service. If they are caught driving under the influence, they may have their driver’s license suspended.
Tobacco offenses often go hand in hand with alcohol offenses and drug abuse. In most states, it is illegal for minors to purchase, possess, or use tobacco products.
If your child is caught with tobacco products, they will likely be fined and/or made to perform community service. However, if they are caught selling tobacco products, they will be subject to harsher penalties.
Petty crimes such as vandalism are yet another common juveniles crime. Vandalism includes any intentional damage to property, such as graffiti, smashing windows, or keying cars.
If your child is caught vandalizing property, they will likely have to pay for the damages they caused and perform community service. If the damages are significant, they may also be placed on juveniles probation.
A less serious crime compared to others, curfew violations and loitering are other common causes of juveniles arrest. In most jurisdictions, there is a curfew for minors, typically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
If your child is caught out past their curfew, they will likely be taken into police custody and released to you.
You may also be required to attend a meeting with the juveniles court probation officer, where you will be asked to sign a curfew agreement.
Disorderly conduct is another common juveniles offense and can encompass a wide range of behaviors, such as public drunkenness, public urination, fighting, and more.
If your child is charged with disorderly conduct, they will likely be fined and/or made to perform community service. If the offense is more serious, they may be placed on juveniles probation.
Larceny theft, or the act of stealing, is another common juveniles offense. This can include shoplifting, bicycle theft, and more.
The penalties for larceny theft depend on the value of the property stolen. If the value is less than $500, your child will likely be fined and/or made to perform community service.
If the value is greater than $500, juveniles offenders may be placed on juveniles probation or even sent to juveniles detention.
Motor vehicle theft is another common cause of juveniles arrests. This can include joyriding, carjacking, and more.
The penalties for motor vehicle theft depend on the value of the vehicle stolen. If the value is less than $5,000, your child will likely be fined and/or made to perform community service.
Robbery is a more serious crime that can result in juvenile arrests. Robbery is defined as the taking of property from another person by force or fear.
If your child is convicted of robbery, they will likely be placed on juveniles probation and/or sent to juveniles detention.
While assault and battery can be considered minor crimes, they become more serious when juveniles are the offenders.
Assault is defined as any threat of violence, while battery is the act of carrying out that threat.
If your child is charged with simple assault and/or battery, they will likely be placed on juveniles probation and ordered to attend anger management classes or therapy.
If the victim was seriously injured, your child may be subject to harsher penalties for aggravated assault, such as time in a juvenile detention center
Sexual assault is a serious crime that can result in juvenile arrests. Sexual assault includes any non-consensual sexual contact, such as rape, groping, and child molestation.
If your child is convicted of sexual assault, they will likely be placed on juvenile probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. They may also be required to attend sex offender treatment classes.
Forcible rape is the most serious form of sexual assault and can result in your child being tried as an adult and sentenced to prison.
Illegal possession of firearms is a serious crime that can result in juvenile arrests. In most states, it is illegal for minors to possess handguns.
If your child is caught with a handgun, they will likely be charged with a felony and placed on juvenile probation. If they are convicted of a second offense, they may be sent to juvenile.
Many juvenile crime have come to the attention of national and even international media. Some of the most famous crime cases involving minors are the following:
In 1993, three 8-year-old boys were found murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. The three suspects, who were also teenagers at the time, were arrested and convicted of the murders based on questionable evidence.
After serving 18 years in prison, the West Memphis Three were released in 2011 after new evidence came to light.
In 1989, a woman was raped and beaten in New York City’s Central Park. Five teenagers were arrested and convicted of the crime, even though they all maintained their innocence.
The Central Park Five served between 6 and 13 years in prison before they were exonerated in 2002.
In 1999, 13-year-old Lionel Tate was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 6-year-old girl. The girl had died of injuries that were similar to those seen in professional wrestling matches.
Tate’s sentence was later reduced to house arrest and probation.
In 1999, two teenage boys went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado, killing 13 people before taking their own lives.
The Columbine shooting brought increased attention to the issue of school safety and gun control.
In 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges related to the shooting.
The case sparked national conversations about race, gun violence, and self-defense laws.
The severity of the crime will typically dictate what penalties your child will face.
For example, less serious crimes, such as curfew violations and disorderly conduct, usually result in fines and/or community service.
More serious offenses, such as robbery and sexual assault, can result in your child being placed on juvenile probation or even sent to juvenile detention.
If your child is charged with a crime, it is important to seek legal assistance from a qualified attorney who can help you navigate the juvenile justice system.
The juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate rather than punish juvenile offenders.
This means that instead of being incarcerated, most juvenile offenders will be placed on probation and ordered to participate in programs aimed at rehabilitation, such as anger management classes or therapy.
The adult criminal justice system, on the other hand, is designed to punish offenders.
This means that if your child is tried as an adult, they could be sentenced to prison.
If your child has committed a juvenile crime, it is important to seek legal assistance from a qualified criminal defense attorney.
Your attorney can help you navigate the juvenile justice system and ensure that your child’s rights are protected.
Your attorney can also help you understand the possible penalties your child is facing and what you can do to help them avoid harsh penalties.
Whether your child is faced with lesser serious crimes such as disorderly conduct and curfew violations, or more serious ones such as aggravated assault and forcible rape, a criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the juvenile justice system with ease.
If you live near the Forth Worth TX area, Cole Paschall Law is here to help you.
Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys has helped many clients facing juvenile charges.
We understand the juvenile justice system and what it takes to get the best possible outcome for our clients.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and help you understand your options moving forward.
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A juvenile refers to a young person who is not yet considered an adult in the eyes of the law. The age of a juvenile varies depending on the country and the state, but generally, young people below the age of 18 are considered juveniles in the criminal justice system.
Because of their age and inexperience, a juvenile offender is often treated differently than an adult offender when it comes to arresting and questioning procedures.
If you are a juvenile who is faced with an arrest warrant or called to police questioning, or you are a parent or guardian to one, read on to know all about what to expect in the juvenile justice system.
In the United States, there is a separate court system for handling juvenile offenders. The main difference between juvenile and adult criminal courts is that the former seeks to rehabilitate rather than punish young offenders.
This is because it is believed that juveniles are more impressionable and have a greater potential for reform than adults.
As we mentioned, the legal definition of a juvenile depends on the country or state. In general, however, juvenile offenders are typically defined as individuals between the ages of 10 and 18.
It must also be noted that while the term “juvenile” and “minor” can be used interchangeably, they are not one and the same. A juvenile is usually considered a minor under the law, but not all minors are juveniles.
Typically, a minor is a child who is considered under the age of full legal responsibility. Thus, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor.
A juvenile, on the other hand, is a person who has not yet reached the age where criminal penalties may be applied.
If your child has been arrested or called to police questioning, it is important to understand their rights and how the arrest process works.
The arrest and questioning procedures of a juvenile offender are different from that of an adult in several ways:
1. ArrestA juvenile cannot be arrested simply for being a suspect in a crime. There must be probable cause to believe that the juvenile has committed a crime before an arrest can be made.
A juvenile, however, can be arrested if they are suspected to have committed a serious crime, such as murder or rape.
Similarly, a juveniles cannot be arrested based on an arrest warrant alone. Instead, a police officer must obtain a signed arrest warrant from a judge before detaining them at a juvenile detention facility for questioning or arrest.
Another key difference is that juveniles arrest warrants typically do not involve bail. Instead, offender can only be released from juvenile detention after they have been questioned and have had their cases reviewed by a judge.
Third, juveniles arrest procedures are typically more informal than those for adults. This means that juveniles are not often handcuffed or put in jail cells, and they may be escorted by their parents or guardians instead.
Finally, juveniles questioning is typically conducted in a more sensitive manner, with greater concern for the rights and well-being of young offenders.
Efforts are often made to maintain an open line of communication between suspects and law enforcement officers to ensure that the juvenile is treated fairly.
In most cases, the questioning is done with the parents present. For juveniles whose parents are not or no longer around, the questioning procedure may also require a guardian present.
Overall, while arrest and questioning procedures for juveniles may differ from those of adults in some ways, they are still designed to protect the rights and safety of young offenders at all times.
The arrest and questioning of a juveniles offender are governed by the US Constitution and Supreme Court, which affords all citizens certain protections under the law.
These protections apply to juvenile offenders as well, including the right to:
It is important to note that these rights are not absolute, and there may be some situations in which they can be waived or limited.
For instance, if a juveniles offender confesses to a crime, this may be used as evidence against them in court. This is why it’s important to know your right to remain silent.
The right to remain silent means that you are not obliged to answer questions from a police officer or law enforcement personnel, and you should always consult with an attorney before making any official statements.
Additionally, if a judge decides that a juvenile should be tried as an adult, their constitutional rights may be limited or even waived in certain situations.
If a juvenile is charged with a crime, they will typically be tried in juvenile court and not in a typical adult court.
This is because the criminal justice system recognizes that juveniles are not fully developed mentally or emotionally, and thus they should not be subject to the same punishments as adult offenders.
In juvenile justice, the focus is on rehabilitating the offender so that they do not re-offend in the future.
As such, juveniles offenders are typically given probationary sentences, rather than being incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility or adult prison.
Probationary sentences may include:
Ultimately, the goal of juveniles court is to help young offenders overcome the circumstances and behaviors that led them to commit a crime so that they can become productive members of society.
If your child is charged with a crime, enlisting the help of a criminal defense attorney may be one of the best decisions you can make.
A skilled criminal defense attorney will have extensive experience in juvenile arrest and questioning procedures, as well as juvenile court proceedings.
They can work closely with your child to ensure that their rights and interests are protected throughout the arrest and questioning process, as well as any subsequent legal proceedings.
In addition, a criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the juvenile justice system and explain your child’s options moving forward, such as seeking counseling or participating in specialized treatment programs.
If you need help with arrest and questioning procedures in regard to your juvenile offender, or any other aspect of the juvenile justice system, it’s important to seek out the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
The juvenile justice system is complex, and having a knowledgeable advocate on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
If you’re in the Fort Worth TX area, Cole Paschall Law can help you with any of your legal needs.
With years of experience in juvenile crime, you can trust that our team of lawyers will fight tirelessly to protect your child’s rights.
To learn more about our services and schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, visit us online or call us today.
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A question we hear often at Cole Paschall Law is, ‘How much does a DWI attorney cost?’. It’s not easy to predict the cost of hiring a good attorney in cases involving DWIs because a lot of factors come into play, each of which will affect the rates of a lawyer. Our advice is to call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with someone from our law firm when looking around for an affordable DUI attorney. After spending a few minutes on the phone with our team, you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll pay and how our firm can benefit you if you’ve been charged with a DWI or DUI.
1. Instead of asking, ‘How much does a DWI lawyer charge?’, it’s more important to determine what your lawyer will charge based on your legal representation needs. One thing that will impact costs is whether your law firm will need to bring in expert witnesses who were at the scene when you were pulled over or caused an accident.
There’s an old adage that holds true when hiring an attorney: You get what you pay for. Make sure you don’t try to cut corners by hiring an attorney who won’t take your case to court and try to win your freedom by any means. If you’re innocent of the charges against you, it’s important to clear your good name. Call Cole Paschall Law to inquire about the cost of a DWI Attorney by the hour.
2. The next step in your ‘how to choose a DWI Attorney education is looking into your legal team’s experience. The length of time your lawyer has been practicing will have a major impact on their fees. A lawyer who has not tried many cases will be cheaper than one who is seasoned in the courtroom; in cases involving your freedom and future, cheaper may not be the best way to go.
3. DWI and DUI cases can differ based on their details, so it’s always a good idea to ask a potential lawyer how long they think your case will carry over. For DWI and DUI cases that are not settled quickly, your lawyer will want additional pay for their time.
It’s important to get in touch with a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer from Cole Paschall Law, especially if you have questions about your case or are interviewing law firms. The cost of a DWI Attorney is not as important as the peace of mind you’ll have knowing that the best lawyer in the area is working on your behalf.
If you’ve been charged with a DWI in Fort Worth, Texas, it is essential to have a reliable Tarrant County criminal attorney on your side to defend your rights and ensure due process is followed. Our aggressive Fort Worth DWI attorneys at Cole Paschall Law can provide the expert legal representation you need to face the Tarrant County criminal court system and ensure that you have the best possible chance of avoiding conviction.
We’ve mentioned that costs can vary widely from lawyer to lawyer and depending on the details of your unique situation. That said, you may not need to secure legal representation from the most expensive law firm in your town. When you hire a DWI Attorney, finding the top one in the area is the best option. When it comes to attorneys in Texas, make a free phone call to our team now, day or night, to secure a free case review and consultation.
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Getting arrested for a DWI Charge can destroy someone’s prospects. If you have been arrested and charged for drunk driving in Tarrant County, you must seek immediate legal help.
Here at Cole Paschall Law, our Fort Worth DWI attorneys have fought for many people charged with DUI. We have the resources needed to protect your right whether this is your first offense or a multiple DWI Charge.
You will have a criminal record if you’re convicted of a DUI offense. If you’re considering pleading guilty to DUI, here are some of the consequences:
You have legal rights if a police officer thinks you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Exercising your rights is one of the best things you can do to limit the impact of evidence a police officer can gather against you.
At this point, the police officer is trying to discover whether you are intoxicated. You must provide your registration and driver’s license when asked. It is best to be polite when talking to them because anything you say will be used against you in court.
Being disrespectful to a police officer is not a good idea. The worst thing you can do is trying to avoid a police arrest. Do not resist your arrest. Be polite and remain calm while talking to a police officer. Physical or verbal resistance or abuse can result in additional criminal charges.
Fleeing is a harsh criminal offense. It’s against the law not to stop when a police officer orders you to do so. Penalties relating to fleeing include a minimum of 12 months license suspension and imprisonment for a minimum of 36 months.
Involve a Criminal AttorneyOur Fort Worth DUI attorneys can examine your case to determine possible defense plans. We will look at your DUI case to decide the best course of action.
It’s evident that you may be charged with DWI Charge if you’re intoxicated while driving. Contact us if you’re being arrested for DUI. At Cole Paschall Law, our Fort Worth DWI attorneys can help protect your right. No matter whether you are looking to challenge the field sobriety test or you have been arrested after failing a breath test, you can have full confidence in our Tarrant County DWI lawyers.
It is possible to reduce or dismiss a DWI charge in Texas, but you will not be able to do it alone. Contact us immediately for help with your DWI charge. You have only 15 days after your arrest date to save your Texas driver’s license. Let us figure the rest out for you.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Fort Worth, Texas, it is essential to have a reliable Tarrant County criminal attorney on your side to defend your rights and ensure due process is followed. Our aggressive Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys at Cole Paschall Law can provide the expert legal representation you need to face the Tarrant County criminal court system and ensure that you have the best possible chance of avoiding conviction.
Get in touch with a Tarrant County DWI lawyer at Cole Paschall Law immediately if you have been arrested for DWI Charge. We can fight for you to ensure the court doesn’t revoke your driving rights. Call our Fort Worth, TX office at 817-447-4100 to schedule a free appointment and consultation.