The juvenile court system handles children under the age of 17 who are accused of engaging in criminal behavior. The special nature of juvenile law requires an attorney equipped with the experience, skill, and demeanor necessary to relate to the needs and concerns of your minor children while vigorously protecting their legal rights. Will Underwood possesses these skills and readily handles all aspects of juvenile law, including detention hearings, trials, sentencing hearings, probation issues, and pre-sentencing investigations.
Call Underwood & Associates at What Are the Consequences for Juvenile Offenses? for a *free 15-minute phone consultation with an experienced McKinney juvenile lawyer. (*Consultation fee applies to Family Law consultations)
Protect Your Child & Minimize the Damage
Protecting your child’s future and well-being can be a difficult task in today’s world. When your child makes a bad decision or gets caught up with the wrong group of friends, you need a lawyer who can help you limit the damage caused by juvenile law issues. We realize that young people facing criminal charges are at a difficult, pivotal point in their lives.
Underwood & Associates is dedicated to helping the families of juveniles accused of crimes. Our commitment to juvenile justice issues emanates from a desire to make our community a better place to live and ensuring that accused children don’t get left behind. We understand that juveniles often act impulsively. We also know that police officials and others in the criminal justice system frequently jump the gun, violating or ignoring legal precedent when investigating and detaining juveniles accused of crimes.
What Are the Consequences for Juvenile Offenses?
If your child is accused of engaging in criminal activity, his or her future is in jeopardy. Although the juvenile system is focused on the rehabilitation of delinquents, as opposed to punishment, minors who are caught up in the juvenile court system can still face some serious consequences.
The consequences for a juvenile allegation can include:
- Loss of driving privileges
- Juvenile detention
- House arrest
- School suspensions and referral to alternative schools
- Treatment programs
- Community service
- Probation
- Restitution
- Difficulty obtaining work
- Sex offender registration
- Effects on college applications
- Effects on immigration status
When Can a Minor Be Charged as an Adult?
Juveniles who are 14 or older could be transferred to the adult court for prosecution when they are accused of committing capital felonies, first-degree felonies, and aggravated sexual assault felonies.
If convicted in adult court, the minor would be subject to the same penalties an adult would face for the same crime, which may include major fines and long-term imprisonment.
Underwood & Associates can help put your child back on the right path. From alcohol and drug charges, to theft, assault, and arson, we make certain that both you and your child understand what is happening. We explain the process, the procedures, the evidence, the available defenses, and the overall consequences in language your child can appreciate and understand.
We Address the Big Picture
Juvenile law issues encompass more than just legal matters. At Underwood & Associates, we work diligently to help you address and understand the situation and its ramifications as a whole. Our experience with the legal and practical aspects of juvenile cases allows us to offer you the advice you need to make the best decisions possible for your child. Once the legal issues have been addressed, we are also able to offer referrals to mental health and behavioral health professionals so that you can help your child avoid any future issues.
Let Us Work with You to Find the Best Solution
At Underwood & Associates, we understand the fear you feel and the lengths you would go to protect your child’s future. We do everything possible to help you secure the favorable resolutions you need when you need them, and we strive to help you in your efforts to guide your child back to stability. Our McKinney juvenile law attorney provides clients with exceptional legal counsel and trial representation in the Texas counties of Collin, Denton, Dallas, and Grayson.
Protect your rights. Call Will Underwood today at (214) 544-8040 or contact him online.
