Nobody said being a parent was easy and any parent with a child in trouble knows how hard it can truly be at times. We all want what's best for our children and parenthood doesn't come with instructions. Even the best behaved, straight-A student can find themselves in some sort of legal trouble before they reach the age of 18. In fact, according to the US Department of Justice, "In 2010, there were 4,857 arrests for every 100,000 youths ages 10 through 17 in the United States." The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation states that 225,000 youths are arrested each year in the state. If your child suddenly finds themselves in legal trouble you need to know the Juvenile Law and how it works.
In the state of California the arresting officer has the sole discretion to release the juvenile to his parents, or take the offender to juvenile hall. Where your child is placed will decide the next course of action.
Depending on the crime that your child is accused of committing, his or her criminal background, behavior at home and school & other factors, your child could face a range of punishments. He or she can be punished from as little as 6 months of probation to as much as being removed from home and sent to the Division of Juvenile Justice (formerly known as the California Youth Authority) as a ward of the state.
California's goal is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders so that they can become productive, positive members of society. But no matter how small or how large the crime accused, obtaining expert legal advice is the best way to help your son or daughter.
If your child has been accused of committing a crime in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Perris, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Banning, Corona, Winchester or Riverside, contact a legal expert who knows juvenile law.
The Law Office of Nic Cocis represents minors who have been accused of a variety of crimes, including:
- Assault and battery
- Petty theft
- Grant theft
- Vandalism
- Marijuana possession
- Possession of controlled substances for sale
- Sex offenses
- Hit and run
- DUI
- Arson
- Criminal Threats
Our office is located near the Southwest Juvenile Hall in Murrieta, California. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.