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Juvenile Attorney in Mesa, AZ
Fighting to Help Youngsters Avoid Consequences That Could Derail Their Lives
Most people think of adults when they think of criminal law, but juveniles can also be detained and charged with illegal acts. While the terminology, procedure, and stated goals of the juvenile justice system differ from the adult system, many of the potential consequences are the same. If your child is facing allegations of criminal charges — better known as “delinquent acts” in the juvenile system — the potential for probation, incarceration, and even charges in adult court exists. This is why it’s critical to contact a juvenile lawyer in Mesa if your youngster is facing criminal charges.
At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve seen what can happen when youngsters and their parents choose to go against the system alone. While juvenile crime charges may be less serious on paper, the consequences can be just as disruptive. In fact, a finding of juvenile delinquency can be even more disruptive than adult charges — because minors will have to deal with penalties at a formative time in their lives. Everyone makes mistakes in their youth, and admittedly, some are more serious than others. However, that doesn’t mean a youth should have their lives derailed.
Contact our law firm today so we can put our extensive legal expertise in the juvenile system to work for you.
How Does a Juvenile Crime Differ from Adult Charges?
Crimes committed in Arizona create the potential for serious consequences for those who commit them. However, the legal process is different under the juvenile justice system. In fact, criminal allegations aren’t even known as “crimes.” Any crimes committed by minors (i.e., individuals under the age of 18) are classified as “delinquent acts.” When a youth is charged with such an act, they don’t go to trial. Instead, they are dragged through the adjudication process. Even disciplinary actions use different terms. Rather than being sentenced, minors are typically referred to treatment or rehab programs.
Unfortunately, one of the elements of adult court that carries over into the juvenile justice system is the potential for incarceration. Both juvenile and adult cases can result in detention, but minors are housed in juvenile facilities. Sadly, the outcome of such incarceration can be the same. Individuals adjudicated “delinquent” can be ripped from their lives and forced to live in close quarters with strangers. Often, these strangers faced incarceration after committing serious crimes. One mistake should not derail your child’s life to this extent.
Of course, not every juvenile case will result in detention. In fact, most won’t. Most underage individuals will leave the system with seemingly minor consequences such as probation, community service, and treatment requirements. Unfortunately, even these can result in long-lasting negative outcomes. While most people cannot search Mesa juvenile criminal records, government and military authorities still can. This can affect potential employment, criminal defense, and even housing issues in the future. Financial aid and college applications may also be affected. Put simply, fighting back is in your best interest.
Do Minors Need Representation in Juvenile Court?
When a minor gets arrested for a crime, the question will invariably come up as to whether they need legal representation. The prosecutor and courts may claim that an attorney is unnecessary. After all, the focus is rehabilitation — and these records can later be sealed. It may seem like accepting a plea deal and moving on with your life is in your child’s best interest, but the reality is far more complicated than this. For serious crimes committed, children and teens can be charged as adults — but even when a case stays in the juvenile system, having an attorney is essential.
Like adults charged with crimes, minors have constitutional rights. For all intents and purposes, any legal issue they’re facing can be treated very similarly to adult cases. That’s because the government has to prove guilt, and an inability to do so means that the youngster should not be adjudicated as delinquent. When this happens, families can instead focus on handling their own issues without interference from the government. It’s also the case that a prosecutor is likely to threaten increased charges if the targeted minor is convicted at “trial” rather than accepting a plea deal.
There will be times when plea bargaining is appropriate. However, it is overused in the criminal justice system. If you want your child protected from the harsh reality of the system, you need to find a juvenile lawyer in Mesa who has good standing in the community and a proven track record. That’s precisely what you’ll find when you visit our law office. From simple and aggravated assault to drug crimes and even murder, adolescents can face very adult consequences for alleged acts. At The Turner Law Firm, we’re here to help you fight back.
Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney for a Plea Deal?
If you speak with a prosecutor, they will likely tell you that no attorney is necessary for plea negotiations. However, this answer is likely to change once they become a former prosecutor. Because at this point, they have nothing to lose by telling individuals charged with criminal acts that they’re better off with an attorney. The reality of your situation is that you likely don’t practice law, and even if you do, you’re too close to your child’s case to be effective at protecting them. When a plea deal is appropriate, it’s best to have a Mesa juvenile lawyer handle negotiations.
Plea negotiations in the juvenile court system are very similar to those in adult court. The prosecutor will often offer reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea. Like adult cases, though, they’re likely to overcharge so they can use charge reduction as a bargaining chip. There will be times when a delinquent adjudication is unavoidable, but in these instances, an attorney experienced in juvenile offenses will often be able to secure better terms for the deal. In a best-case scenario, they may discover problems with the state’s case during negotiations that result in charge dismissal.
What Are Potential Defenses Under Juvenile Law in Arizona?
By now, it should be clear that juvenile delinquency offenses can carry major consequences. Penalties are very often similar to those seen in adult cases, and in some instances, minors may even be forced into the adult system. This is more likely for older teenagers or those accused of the most serious crimes, but even if your child’s case stays in the juvenile system, it’s important to understand their possible defenses. A professional with legal expertise may be able to use the following defenses to have charges thrown out or secure a disposition finding of “not true” by a judge:
- Lack of evidence
- Mistaken identity
- Constitutional violations
- Age or developmental factors
- Alibi defense
- Self-defense or defense of others
- Procedural errors
- Diversion programs
- False allegations
- Challenge to jurisdiction (i.e., fighting the transfer to adult court)
The important thing to remember here is that juvenile delinquency defenses are not “one size fits all.” If you decide to forego legal representation from a juvenile lawyer in Mesa because you believe one of these strategies will work, you better hope the courts believe it’s relevant to your case. If they don’t, it’s not as easy as just picking the next strategy on the list and running with it. The courts will view failed attempts as clear knowledge of guilt, and that’s why you need to make sure to choose the best legal defense from the start.
At The Turner Law Firm, we can help with this process. We’ll review every aspect of your child’s case and help you understand the best path forward. Reach out today. We’re here to help.
Contact a Juvenile Lawyer in Mesa, AZ Today
There are some juvenile delinquent acts that are seemingly minor on the surface. For instance, what would be defined as a simple assault crime in adult court would likely only result in probation, fines, and treatment for an accused minor. Unfortunately, even delinquent acts that seem minor can have lasting effects, and if the government charges a juvenile with a serious crime — such as murder or rape — parents may find their children staring down the barrel of the adult court system. Regardless of the circumstances of your situation, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help.
At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve seen far too many youngsters treated horribly in the Maricopa County Superior Court. While the stated goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation, the simple reality is that it’s far too often treated like adult cases. There have even been recent high-profile cases of judges sending children to for-profit detention facilities in order to get kickbacks from the corporations running them. Unfortunately, parents cannot trust their children in the juvenile court system — and that’s why hiring a criminal law professional is critical.
Contact us at (623) 253-8718 to schedule your confidential consultation. Our Mesa juvenile defense lawyers will work aggressively to help your child avoid the most serious consequences.