Protecting Your Child Against Criminal Charges
Try as parents might, there is simply no stopping the curiosity of some teens and young adults. Unfortunately, sometimes curiosity can lead to bad decisions that could carry with them legal consequences.
As a parent, you probably want to protect your child, particularly from the harm a criminal charge can have on their future. Sadly, you may lack the legal knowledge necessary to afford them the full protection of the law like a skilled defense attorney can.
Common Crimes Committed By Juveniles
Juvenile crimes in Ohio span about the same spectrum as crimes committed by adults. A juvenile may be charged with:
- Drug possession
- Burglary
- Driving under the influence
- Shoplifting
- Fighting and assault
- Statutory or date rape
- Speeding, reckless driving and other traffic violations
Juvenile Crimes Are Not Handled The Same Way As Adult Crimes
Although a juvenile crime may carry similar consequences to an equivalent adult crime, the general difference between how these two types of crimes are handled depends on in which court the juvenile is tried.
The juvenile courts prefer to focus on counseling and rehabilitation rather than harsh punishment for minors. On the other hand, severe crimes, such as homicide and murder, or if the juvenile has previous convictions for multiple crimes, the court may decide to treat the defendant as an adult. In this case, punishment may be quite harsh and include extensive jail time.
Important Message To Parents
If your son or daughter is facing criminal charges for a juvenile crime, it’s crucial to help them protect their rights sooner rather than later. To do this, you need the guidance of an experienced defense lawyer who will support you and your child through the challenges ahead.
At the Law Offices of Jason M. Donnell, LLC, we pride ourselves on providing aggressive legal representation when you need it the most. We will always take the course of action that is in your and your child’s best interests. If this means taking their case to trial, we are prepared to do so.
If you’d like to retain our services, contact our firm in Lancaster by calling 740-653-8171 or sending us a message using this contact form. Free initial phone consultations are available. We accept credit cards.
