Even when a child is convicted of a crime as a juvenile, the misstep can follow them for the rest of their lives and have long-term effects.
Juvenile convictions may disqualify someone from receiving scholarship money, getting a job, or earning a spot in college. In addition, if an employer runs a background check, a juvenile record will still appear in many states.
If you or your child has been charged with a crime as a juvenile, it’s crucial to enlist quality legal help right away to mitigate the long-term effects.
How Can I Avoid The Long-Term Effects Of A Juvenile Conviction?
If your child has been charged with a crime, the best and easiest way to reduce the long-term effects of the conviction is first to employ quality legal help. Having a lawyer who understands the juvenile criminal system is essential.
Your lawyer will first work to ensure the charge stays in juvenile court and doesn’t get pumped up to adult criminal court, which would have more severe long-term consequences. Adult court carries longer jail sentences, and the record will likely be available for public access.
Next, building a solid defense and avoiding conviction would be essential. However, a lawyer often encourages the defendant to agree to a diversion program, which can help prevent a sentence and show the defendant is remorseful and wants to rehabilitate themselves.
Diversion programs may include community, service counseling, and/or tutoring. Your child completing the program is essential to the terms of the agreement and avoiding a conviction.
Finally, your lawyer will need to work to have the court seal or expunge any records, depending on how the case ends up.
What Should I Do If My Child Has Been Charged With A Crime?
Call the Knox Law Center immediately if your child has been charged with a crime. Employing solid legal help from the start is the best way to avoid the long-term consequences of a juvenile conviction.
At the Knox Law Center, we understand how traumatic going through the criminal legal system can be for a teen, and we want to help your family mitigate the lasting effects a conviction could have for your child. Therefore, we offer complimentary consultations to help your family build the most robust case possible from day 1.
