Juvenile Crimes Can Ruin a Child’s Future

Juvenile crimes are set apart from adult crimes simply by the fact that they are under the age of eighteen. If juvenile crimes were committed by an adult, then an adult would face adult penalties in San Diego. It would be a mistake for a parent to assume that if their son or daughter commits a crime and they are under the age of eighteen, that it is not serious. This is simply not always the case and exactly how a child’s case is handled will vary depending on the nature of the crime and the age of the juvenile.

San Diego is unique based on its geographical location, being so close to the border of Mexico. Here, San Diego residents are likely to experience high volumes of drug trafficking, gang activity as well as hate crimes and homicides. If a child commits a particularly heinous crime, or one that is gang affiliated, then he or she can be tried as an adult. This means they can be subjected to the same exact penalties as an adult, including prison sentencing. If your son or daughter has been arrested for a juvenile offense in the San Diego area, you are strongly urged to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner an attorney gets involved in your child’s case, the higher the chances of obtaining a favorable outcome on your son or daughter’s behalf.

Whenever a juvenile is facing ramifications from their actions, it will be in their best interests to have a lawyer seek alternative sentencing as well as community service. As a parent, you may think your child would be better off in a juvenile detention center or is better off being taught a “lesson,” but this is not always the case. You want to keep in mind that youth are very impressionable; it is not always in their best interests to “befriend” other criminals in jail.

Statistics have proven that youth that are sent to jail have a higher recidivism rate, versus those youth that are given rehabilitative treatment instead. Not only that, but in many cases, a permanent criminal record can destroy future college scholarships as well as promising careers. Having a caring, compassionate, yet aggressive attorney on your child’s side will be the greatest investment of your child’s life, thus protecting his or her future and their career. If your child has been arrested for a juvenile offense, you are strongly urged to contact an attorney who has extensive experience in defending juvenile clients in the San Diego area.