Clearwater Juvenile Crimes Lawyer

Helping Families with Juvenile Criminal Cases

Has your child been arrested? This situation is a nightmare for a family, and you need to know who to turn to for help. A juvenile arrest and subsequent conviction can destroy future opportunities for your child. A skilled Clearwater criminal defense attorney can help guide you through the legal process and take immediate action to fight to avoid permanent consequences. The goal of the juvenile criminal justice system is rehabilitation - not punishment. Taking action to avoid having the case tried in adult court is a critical aspect of any serious juvenile criminal charges.

Just as an adult can commit a criminal offense, so can a child, and they are charged under the same laws and statues that an adult would be. Some of the more common offenses that juveniles might be face include:

• DUI
• Underage drinking
• Battery & assault
• Sexual offenses
• Gang-related activities
• Possession of an illegal drug
• Theft, including shoplifting and burglary

The key difference is in the way that juvenile matters are handled in the courts. Although the crimes are the same as with an adult, the punishments are different. Many diversion programs exist to assist young offenders in getting their lives back on track while still being held accountable for their actions.

Juvenile Crimes Attorney in Clearwater

Prosecutors generally have the discretion to charge an individual over the age of 16 as an adult. Our team at The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger will tenaciously fight to keep your child's case in juvenile court and to limit the impact your case may have upon future educational and employment opportunities. Your child deserves a strong defense against the charges, and our attorney will pursue the best possible results, regardless of whether charges are filed in juvenile or adult court. Contacting our legal team prior to formal charges being filed can lead to a better outcome in the case, and we urge you to call us immediately after the arrest.