Criminal Defense

Instant parental concern: a call from law enforcers

May 27, 2021

Mothers and fathers in Northern Kentucky and elsewhere across the state routinely have a lot on their minds. Parenting is complex and an all-in business. Raising a child and nurturing him or her en route to full-fledged adulthood is far from a casual endeavor.

It’s important for parents to keep in mind that maturity takes time for growing young people. Life is about learning, and not every decision emerges as prudent, except in retrospect. Which means this: Juveniles make mistakes. And the result of that sometimes is their unanticipated interaction with the criminal justice system.

The sources of legal trouble for juveniles

The list is long when it comes to key entries concerning criminal charges filed against juveniles for alleged unlawful activity. The dreaded phone call to parents from a police station can underscore any number of concerns, with allegations like the following being especially common:

  • Shoplifting and other theft crimes
  • Fights; assaults
  • Underage drinking (e.g., possession and drunk driving)
  • Drug crimes of a widely varying nature

Why criminally challenged juveniles need proven legal counsel

An arrest and conviction on a criminal charge can be especially troublesome for a young person, given that charged juveniles often never intended to break a law or even realized they were doing so. A proven Kentucky criminal defense legal source underscores the adverse long-term effects that a negative charging outcome can have on a juvenile’s life. Here are some examples:

  • Resulting difficulty finding or keeping a job
  • Curtained educational/training opportunities
  • Problems securing desired housing
  • Public/social stigma linked with a criminal record

Adolescents are often best served by criminal outcomes that stress rehabilitation and a second chance – not narrowly focused punishment. An experienced and empathetic legal team can diligently represent a young person facing criminal law charge and advocate for an outcome that fundamentally promotes justice and that individual’s best interests.