In Phoenix, Arizona, a juvenile is any person who is under the age of 18. When a juvenile commits a crime in Phoenix, it is referred at as an “act of delinquency.” Arizona law can be more lenient when prosecuting juvenile defendants than adult ones. However, this does not mean that the court goes easy on juvenile crime suspects. This is why it is extremely important to consult a juvenile crimes defense attorney if your child is charged with any kind of juvenile crime.
- Authorities can be very adept at exploiting a child’s fear, or their limited knowledge of constitutional rights, in order to obtain incriminating information
A conviction for a juvenile crime in Phoenix can have serious repercussions on a child’s future academically, professionally, and personally speaking. If you find your child charged with any kind of juvenile crime in Phoenix, you should immediately seek out a competent, aggressive defense attorney to fight for their rights.
Rehabilitative Penalties for Some Juvenile Crimes
In some cases, juvenile crimes in Phoenix can focus on rehabilitation instead of incarceration. This in no way means that being charged with a juvenile crime is not very serious, because it most definitely is serious. The theory behind the state’s potential leniency is that if a minor can be educated-rehabilitated, he or she will be less likely to commit a crime again. Therefore, some sentences can be fulfilled with:
- Counseling or Diversion Programs
- Community Service
However, not every juvenile defendant will be provided with rehabilitative opportunities. Juvenile detention can be ordered if a child has prior convictions, as well as if he or she commits a violent crime such as:
- Rape or Sexual Assault
- Homicide
- Gang Activity
Sometimes, prosecutors will threaten to file very serious charges against a juvenile, and even charge them as adults in some extreme cases. In certain situations, this can be done to leave room for a plea bargain to a lesser charge, but other times it is due to the nature of the crime or the history of the defendant. Either way, charges should always be taken very seriously, and you should never assume the court is going to offer your child a plea bargain or rehabilitative option.
Why do you need a Juvenile Defense Attorney?
An experienced juvenile defense attorney can help make sure the state and its agents are upholding your child’s rights. A juvenile defense attorney can also aggressively pursue the facts in the case, including witness statements, police reports, victim statements, and anything else that can be used to build a solid defense against the charges. Finally and in certain cases, a reputable juvenile defense attorney may be able to work with prosecutors to present your child with rehabilitative options versus juvenile detention.
Trust Phoenix Criminal Attorney With Your Juvenile Crimes Defense in Phoenix
Phoenix Criminal Attorney provides our clients with focused legal assistance for all juvenile crime charges, no matter how severe. We will not stop fighting for your rights by making sure that every possible legal option and defense strategy is available to you. If your child is charged with any type of juvenile crime in Phoenix, contact us today for a private, no obligation consultation at 602-551-8092.
