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Juvenile Charged With A Crime in Arizona? What You Should Know
Minors (persons under the age of 18) face unique proceedings and penalties if suspected of committing crimes. The juvenile justice system is generally geared more toward rehabilitation rather than punishment. Judges decide juvenile cases, not juries. Records of juvenile offenses are also typically sealed. Juvenile courts have their own special set of rules, procedures, and even terminology.
If you are a minor who has been accused of a crime, or if you are a parent whose child has been arrested, do not wait to involve an attorney. Although the Arizona juvenile justice system was built to offer a way to rehabilitate minors, detention and other penalties may still result if a judge decides that a minor has committed a delinquent act (crime). Minors aged 14-17 may be charged as adults for certain violent or sexual offenses.
You need a legal professional who is experienced in representing minors in juvenile and adult courts alike.
Maria Jones
Founding Attorney
Paula Padilla
Attorney Of Counsel
Immigration
James Winings
Managing Attorney
Immigration Division
Michael Starrett
Associate Attorney
Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
Seth Apfel
Attorney Of Counsel
Criminal Defense
Oscar Castaneda
Attorney Of Counsel
Criminal Defense
Nera Shefer
Attorney Of Counsel
Immigration
For 20 years, Maria Jones Law Firm has served clients across Arizona. Our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys know what is at stake and can use our experience to help you. Call (602) 603-4032!
Types of Juvenile Crimes Our Phoenix Juvenile Defense Lawyers Handle
A minor may face detention and other penalties for various delinquent acts in Arizona. Delinquent acts are very similar to the same crimes adults may be arrested and imprisoned for, but minors will experience a certain level of leniency and protection because they are not yet legal adults.
Instead of facing prison time, for example, they may face detention in a juvenile facility. Instead of jail time and fines, they may have to complete community service, training, and rehabilitation. The only exception may be if a minor is tried as an adult.
The following are examples of juvenile crimes:
- Drug crimes
- Theft crimes
- Assault
- Gang-related crimes
- Sex crimes
- Vandalism
- Truancy
- DUI
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case, you can count on the experienced counsel provided by the juvenile crime lawyers at Maria Jones Law Firm.
We have offices in Tucson and Phoenix and represent minors across Arizona in juvenile proceedings, using our skill and our passion for helping others to secure the best possible result in every case we touch.
Contact leading Phoenix juvenile defense lawyers online or call (602) 603-4032 to schedule a free consultation and review of your case.
Post consultation, you will have a clear idea of various legal options available and the difficulties that you may face in the future. This way, you will be in a position to make an informed decision.
Juvenile Detention in Arizona
Are you wondering how long a juvenile can be detained in the state of Arizona? Well, as per Arizona law, a minor cannot be held in detention for longer than 24 hours unless the detention has been ordered by a court after a hearing.
Therefore, the moment you learn your child has been arrested/detained, it is advisable to contact an experienced Phoenix juvenile crime defense lawyer to make sure that your child’s rights are protected.
Can A Juvenile Be Imprisoned for a Crime in Arizona?
When someone under the age of 18 is convicted of a crime in Arizona, the state typically decide to rehabilitate the minor. This is generally done in lieu of sentencing the minor to prison. The logic behind such an approach is that a minor is less likely to indulge in a criminal activity again provided they receive rehabilitation or counseling.
So, a court may consider various options (instead of sending a minor to jail) including but not limited to probation, counseling, community service, electronic monitoring, and monetary penalties.
But minors charged with serious felony charges such as murder, rape, and assault with deadly weapons are not eligible for these options. In such cases, a conviction can result in harsh penalties such as:
- Heavy fines & restitution
- Performing community service
- Time in a detention facility
- Prison time
Juvenile Crimes in Arizona: Can a Criminal Record Affect Your Child’s Future?
A criminal record may have a detrimental effect on your child’s life for many years. A juvenile crime may stay on your child’s record forever if a conviction isn’t expunged. Being a public record, such information is available to employers, landlords, financial institutions, educational institutions, etc.
Put simply, in the age of background checks, a conviction in juvenile crime shouldn’t be taken lightly. Therefore, you should team up with a caring and passionate Phoenix juvenile defense lawyer to provide your child with exceptionally skilled criminal defense s/he needs to avoid a conviction that could potentially turn her or his life upside down for the years to come.
At Maria Jones Law Firm, we understand that youngsters sometimes make mistakes. We strongly believe that no one deserves to suffer a lifetime of pain, rejection, and failure for a mistake they made as a child. At times, minors are even trapped in false allegations.
Our attorneys use the full extent of law to uncompromisingly fight juvenile charges in Phoenix. We will do our best to get criminal charges against your child reduced or dropped altogether.
Reliable & Experienced Phoenix Juvenile Defense Attorneys | Maria Jones Law Firm
Our Phoenix juvenile defense lawyers are here to provide the emphatic and reliable legal representation you need right now. We understand what you are going through.
While our primary focus is to get the charges dismissed, we work aggressively to ensure juvenile defendants remain in the juvenile justice system where the main focus is on rehabilitation and not incarceration.
Our team of attorneys works diligently to provide the children and families with top notch legal advice. We often represent our juvenile clients in Arizona at detention hearings, court trials & probation violation hearings.
Dial (602) 603-4032 to set up a free consultation if you are the parent of a juvenile charged with a criminal offense in Arizona. We are available 24/7 to provide dedicated, personalized legal service to each one of our clients in Phoenix, Tucson and across Arizona.