If your child has been arrested, the first thing you need to do is find out why he or she was taken into custody and how to get your child released.

If your child has been charged with a minor misdemeanor, and this is his or her first offense, it may not be necessary to retain an attorney. However, if your child has been charged with a felony, a major misdemeanor, or a second charge for any misdemeanor, we recommend that you consult with a juvenile defense attorney.

Juvenile law previously recognized that children younger than eighteen years make mistakes and should not be punished like an adult. However, the law has changed and now young people are being charged and sentenced as adults if they are accused of committing certain crimes.

The prosecutor has the power to file criminal charges in adult court against a juvenile sixteen years or older if it is alleged that the juvenile committed a violent or serious felony. In these cases, the juvenile’s name and criminal records are made public unless there is an acquittal. If convicted, the court must sentence the juvenile in the same manner as adults.

Options are available to negotiate a juvenile court sentence or to challenge the evidence at trial, just as in adult cases. If you need legal help, please contact The Law Offices of John M. Runfola for a free consultation.