The law for juveniles is different than the law for adults. Therefore, if your child has been involved in a legal infraction, the rules need to be reviewed by a competent attorney who handles juvenile cases.
When an Offense Becomes Serious
Often, the law is different for young people as society views a juvenile as someone who does not understand the consequences of their actions. However, in some instances, you may need to speak to a juvenile attorney in Tucson, AZ about a case that escalates a juvenile’s guilt to that of an adult.
Adult Sentencing
Not only must the parents understand their rights in this respect but they need to learn more about how their child’s behavior affects their rights as well. In the state of Arizona, certain mandates have been enacted to determine what “juvenile” crimes can be treated differently. You still need the advice of a juvenile attorney if a young person aged 14 to 17 is tried for the following:
* First or second degree murder
* Forcible sexual assault
* A violent felony
* Armed robbery
Violent Crimes
The above list is broad and therefore does not cover some of the details of various offenses. If a child is deemed to be a chronic felony offender, they have committed at least two offenses of this type in the past. Violent felonies include the following crimes:
* Aggravated assault (with or without a deadly weapon)
* Drive-by shootings
* Discharge of a firearm at a building
When you speak to a juvenile attorney about a felony offense, they will tell you that juveniles who are charged with felonies receive the same sentencing guidelines as offenders that are at least 18 years old. The only exception to this rule is the sentence applied for first-degree murder.
Set Up a Consultation
If you want to find more information about juvenile and adult sentencing, contact a legal specialist who practices juvenile law. Obtain all the details you can and set up a consultation to ensure your child’s legal rights.
