Parents obviously try to do their best raising their children. Unfortunately, young people can make mistakes. Some of those mistakes can be so significant they involve legal charges. In a study across forty urban counties, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found about two-thirds, 66 percent of the juvenile felony defendants in the counties were convicted, either of a felony or a misdemeanor.
If your child has been involved in an incident where legal penalties may come into play, you should seek the advice of a family law attorney. Going through the juvenile legal process can mean a criminal record for life. Retaining the services of an attorney with experience in these matters can help reduce or eliminate a permanent criminal record.
Legal Incidents
Dedicated legal representation can mean the difference between a life-long record or a second chance. Young people are exposed to so many influences in their lives. Extenuating circumstances and peer pressure can lead inexperienced and easily impressionable young people into making poor choices. Taking the wrong step can lead to serious consequences. Typical situations include:
- Drugs;
- Possession of fake identification;
- School fights, assault, and battery;
- Shoplifting/Theft;
- Traffic offenses including driving under the influence;
- Vandalism; and
- Underage drinking.
In 2012, there were about 46,800 juvenile arrests in Illinois. The most common offenses statewide were property offenses-15,148, followed by person-on-person offenses-12,387.
If your child gets involved in a situation like this and you are contacted by legal authorities, it is critical that your child has legal representation. Speaking to the police without engaging an attorney first puts the child in a very vulnerable position. Their youthfulness may count against them and inadvertently incriminate them further. Authorities have relentless interrogation skills and the pressure can wear a juvenile down.
Protect their rights, and your sanity, by retaining an experienced family law attorney.
Recently the Governor of Illinois signed into law a bill that sought to afford more protections to juveniles in police custody. It requires an attorney be present when police question anyone 15 years of age or younger, as well as videotaped interrogations in certain serious cases. The latter, an effort to be a check and balance on police procedures and to reduce the incidents of innocents children facing improper incarceration.
Compassionate Attorneys
If your child has been arrested, you need to contact a skilled DuPage County juvenile justice attorney. The attorneys at Mulyk Laho Law, LLC know the juvenile legal process well and how to effectively represent a youth arrested and questioned by law enforcement. The sooner you can arrange legal counsel for your child, the better outcome may be achieved. Based in DuPage County and able to represent clients across Kane and Kendall counties, our team of attorneys strives to achieve the best outcome for your child which might include an “expungement” or charges sealed and erased in the eyes of the law. Speak to experienced and effective legal counsel today.
Sources:
http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=236
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2370&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=93740&SessionID=88