Miami Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney

Lawyer Representing Minors in Juvenile Courts in Miami, Florida

When minors are arrested and charged with crimes, these situations can lead to fear and uncertainty for both them and their families. The procedures followed in juvenile courts and the potential consequences can seem overwhelming for young people. While Florida's juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation instead of imposing harsh punishments in these cases, juvenile crime charges can still lead to serious consequences that may affect a child's education and their future opportunities. Experienced legal representation can mean the difference between outcomes that will allow a child to move forward and one that will affect their future.

Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney provides legal help to minors and their families, working to address delinquency charges in juvenile courts. With our lawyer's understanding of the legal system and the issues that affect young people, he fights to achieve outcomes that will preserve a child's future and minimize the ways their life may be affected.

Common Juvenile Offenses

Theft and shoplifting are some of the most frequent reasons why minors may be arrested. Young people who are accused of taking merchandise from stores, stealing property from schools or peers, or engaging in other forms of theft may be taken into custody by law enforcement, and they may face serious penalties.

Other property crimes handled by juvenile courts may include vandalism or criminal mischief. Children may be accused of property damage such as tagging buildings with graffiti, destroying school property, or damaging other vehicles or buildings. Burglary or trespassing charges may apply if minors are accused of entering property without permission.

Minors may be charged with vehicle-related crimes such as joyriding, grand theft auto, or driving without a license. Young people who take vehicles without permission, even temporarily, may face serious charges.

Drug offenses, including marijuana possession, the possession of other controlled substances, or the sale or distribution of drugs, can result in juvenile charges. Assault or battery charges may apply when a child has been accused of engaging in school fights or other violent acts against others.

Weapons offenses may involve possession of firearms, knives, or other weapons on school grounds or in other locations. Florida takes these cases seriously due to concerns about school safety and youth violence. Children who put others at risk may face serious penalties.

Computer crimes and internet offenses have become more common due to the use of technology by young people. Cyberbullying, sexting, revenge porn, and computer hacking can lead to prosecution in juvenile courts.

Some of the most serious offenses addressed in juvenile cases may involve sex crimes. Children may be accused of sexual battery, indecent exposure, or other inappropriate behavior. Minors who share images or videos depicting sexual conduct could face child pornography charges.

How Juvenile Court Differs From Adult Criminal Court

The juvenile justice system has different goals and procedures from adult criminal courts. The primary focus is to provide children with rehabilitation and treatment rather than punishment. Courts consider how minors' developmental stages may have affected their actions. They may also look at a family's circumstances and determine whether there is a potential for positive change. The goal will usually be to help children avoid criminal offenses in the future while limiting the impact of charges on their adult lives.

Confidentiality protections can keep juvenile proceedings and records from being accessed by the public. Court hearings are typically closed, and records will be sealed in many cases. These protections can help prevent juvenile mistakes from defining children's futures.

The right to a jury trial does not exist in most juvenile proceedings. Judges will decide the outcomes of cases after adjudicatory hearings. The options available in these cases are meant to emphasize treatment, education, and rehabilitation. Probation with conditions, community service, counseling, and residential programs are common outcomes. In some cases, children may be required to spend time in juvenile detention facilities.

The Juvenile Court Process in Florida

When a minor has been accused of a criminal offense, they may be taken into custody by law enforcement. Officers are required to notify parents or guardians. Children may be released to parents with notices to appear in juvenile court, or they may be held in juvenile detention centers during the juvenile court process.

When a child is held by law enforcement, a detention hearing will be held. A judge will determine whether continued detention is necessary or whether a child should be released to their parents. Factors considered may include the severity of the alleged offense, the child's prior record, and the risk that they may fail to appear at future hearings.

At an initial hearing, the court will determine what charges the child will face, and the child will enter a plea. An adjudicatory hearing will be held that will be similar to a criminal trial. After hearing evidence from the prosecution and the defense, a judge will determine whether the child should be adjudicated delinquent.

If the child is found to be delinquent, a disposition hearing will be held to determine the penalties the child will face. In some cases, a child may face a short term of probation with requirements such as performing community service or attending remedial classes. If necessary, probation may continue until the child reaches the age of 19. In cases involving serious offenses, a child may be incarcerated in a juvenile facility, and incarceration may last until they turn 19.

Transfer of a Juvenile Case to Adult Court

If the charges against a child are serious, a prosecutor may choose to have the case transferred to an adult criminal court. This option may be used when a child has been accused of a violent crime or sex crime or in situations where a child has previously committed multiple offenses. A child who is tried in adult court will face more severe penalties. If the case results in a conviction, they could be sentenced to serve time in an adult prison, and they will have a permanent criminal record that may affect their future opportunities.

The Importance of Legal Representation for Minors Charged With Crimes

The stakes in juvenile cases can be high. Even though the juvenile justice system emphasizes rehabilitation, an adjudication of delinquency may affect a child's ability to complete high school or participate in extracurricular activities. Their ability to attend college, serve in the military, or find a job may also be affected.

While juvenile records will typically be sealed, they can be accessed by law enforcement officials. If a person is charged with a crime in the future, prosecutors and court officials may review their juvenile records, and they may face more serious penalties. To help limit the impact of juvenile charges on a young person's life and future, legal representation can be essential.

When a juvenile case is transferred to adult court, a child will face more serious penalties and collateral consequences that could follow them for the rest of their life. An attorney who has experience with these types of cases can take steps to fight transfer motions and prevent a child from facing serious criminal charges.

Our Approach to Juvenile Defense

At Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, we treat juvenile clients and their families with respect while working to protect their rights. Our lawyer will take steps to investigate a case to understand what happened and why. He can review school records and other information while considering a child's family circumstances, peer influences, potential mental health concerns, and other factors that may have contributed to delinquent behavior.

Our attorney will fight to resolve a case without a formal adjudication of delinquency while ensuring that a child will have the tools they need to avoid criminal behavior in the future. He will advocate for solutions that will allow a minor to accept responsibility while avoiding long-term penalties.

Contact Our Miami, FL Juvenile Crimes Lawyer

Juvenile charges will require immediate attention from a lawyer who understands the procedures followed in juvenile courts and the best strategies for defense. A child's future may depend on how these charges are resolved. To get effective, compassionate legal help in these cases, contact our Miami juvenile crimes defense attorney by calling 305-615-1285 and setting up a free consultation.