Fashions change, musical styles change and social attitudes change. But human behavior does not really change much at all. And one constant is that there will always be young people who make mistakes and get into trouble with the law.
It is very common for juveniles to engage in activities that lead to being arrested and issued criminal charges. And things that may seem like no big deal, such as getting into fights or shoplifting, can have ramifications. If the crimes are of a more severe nature, such as robbery or assault, a juvenile could suffer serious penalties that may negatively impact the course of his or her life.
The fact is, youth is a time for stretching boundaries, trying new things and making errors in judgment. When such errors occur, it is hoped that they are not too serious in nature. But regardless, if you have a child who is facing criminal charges, it is important that his or her rights are protected.
Being arrested for a crime need not be the worst thing that ever happens to a young person. The experience can even offer a juvenile the opportunity to reflect on how actions have consequences. But those consequences should be appropriate to the circumstances. Irreparable harm could be done to an inherently good young person who is unduly forced to spend time incarcerated in either the juvenile justice system or prison.
Criminal defense attorney Steven J. Moore has experience in defending juveniles who have run afoul of the law. If your child is in need of a legal representation, he would be interested in discussing his or her case with you. His office is located in Baton Rouge, and you can read about his services in greater detail on this website.