What happens if your child is charged with a crime in Pennsylvania depends on what the charges are. In the vast majority of cases, your child will end up in the juvenile court system and, if convicted, required to perform certain actions or duties. In very serious cases, they may be charged as an adult.
Our Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney can guide your child and your entire family through this process.
How Does the Juvenile Court Work in Pennsylvania?
Legally speaking, it is very unlikely that your child will be charged with a crime in Pennsylvania. Rather, they will be charged with a delinquent act, and a judge in the juvenile court system will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to support a conviction. Minors are not subjected to jury trials.
Juvenile crime penalties in Pennsylvania are also very different from penalties in the regular courts. Most juveniles will be ordered to perform community service or go to school regularly. Only in the rarest circumstances—like when an older juvenile is convicted of a violent act—do these cases end in jail time.
We understand how difficult it is to deal with the fact that your child is facing charges in court, even when the charge is “delinquent” rather than “criminal.” Just know that juvenile sentencing laws in PA are aimed at helping the child avoid further legal trouble in the future, not punishing them for their actions.
What Rights Does Your Child Have After an Arrest?
Juveniles have the same rights as adults, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation. Getting legal help after a Pennsylvania youth crime is very important because:
- The juvenile court system is different from the main court system, so you want an attorney who understands your specific situation
- Your family is justifiably distraught, and you could benefit from professional guidance and advice
- Even though the consequences of a juvenile conviction are comparatively minor, they can still affect your child’s life, so it is in your best interests to do all you can to minimize those consequences as much as possible
Our PA minor criminal defense lawyer can appear with your child in court and fight to get the charges dropped. We can even expunge your child’s record when the time comes.
No parent wants to have to navigate the juvenile court system. If you face this situation, do not do so alone: our legal team can help you decide what to do next and provide advice as often as you want it.
If Your Child Is Arrested in PA, Call Our Legal Team
No matter how dark or uncertain things look right now, no outcome is inevitable. Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., to find out what our Pennsylvania juvenile defense attorney can do if your child was charged with a crime.
