One of the most common questions we answer is “hey my kid picked up a case in juvenile court do I need to hire him/her an attorney?” The answer in most instances is yes and here are the primary reasons why:
- While a juvenile record is not public it is still viewable to the law enforcement community and can be held against them in the future;
- Minor offenses many times may be able to avoid having charges filed either by them not being referred to the prosecutor or being entered into a informal adjustment, that prevents a record from ever being created. Knowing how to navigate the process and achieve this outcome is more likely with the assistance of a lawyer;
- More serious charges can have significant consequences. Juvenile courts are charged with rehabilitation. However, they still have at their disposal sanctions that include probation, home detention and in some circumstances juvenile prison;
- Sex offenses are especially tricky because even though they may remain confidential in Indiana, in some states, should you child move to them, they may be forced to reveal the allegations by having to register as a sex offender in the other state;
- For very serious offenses or for repeat offenders, the prosecutor may try to waive the juvenile to adult court. This is a major life altering event for a juvenile. If their case is waived into adult court then they are facing the exact same consequences an adult would, including adult prison.
- Probation terms such as required counseling, attendance in programming, as well as other probation conditions are all up for negotiations and having a lawyer to help your juvenile can make a huge difference.
- Navigating the juvenile justice system by yourself is intimidating. Any child being brought into an unfamiliar setting like juvenile court is going to be a nervous mess. An attorney can assist the juvenile with understanding the process, preparing them for hearings and overall increasing their comfort with the system;
- Having a good lawyer will also mean the lawyer will try to connect with your juvenile child and refer them to the services they may need before court happens, many times making a significant improvement in the juvenile’s case and overall long-term outcome.
If your child has been arrested or is facing criminal allegations, contact the experienced attorneys at Banks & Brower 24/7 at 317-870-0019 and speak with one of our attorneys with extensive experience in the juvenile justice system.
