How do I know what to do when my child gets in trouble with the law?
The age of the child will largely determine the course of action and the charges that will be pressed against them. If the child is under 17 they will typically be charged in juvenile court. There are issues that will need to be discussed with the family prior to attending the first hearing. There are also programs that could be viable options for the child to attend. Normally the first hearing is with the probation office and not the prosecutor.
If the child is 17 or older, they will be charged as an adult. Program options are available for those children that have a limited record. In some situations it is possible to keep charges off their record, but a consultation would be required to determine if this is possible.
I always advise people to speak with an attorney before talking to authorities.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or to set up a free consultation.
Marcus D. Wilcox
Attorney at Law, esq.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is meant to be general, informative and educational. It should not be taken as specific legal advice to any particular problem or issue. Please consult an attorney personally to discuss your particular circumstances.
Wilcox Law 