Flagstaff Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys
Seek Guidance From An Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm
If you or someone you know are facing juvenile criminal charges, it is important to have an experienced juvenile defense lawyer who will fight for your best interests. The juvenile criminal defense lawyers at Antol & Sherman have more than 60 years of combined legal experience defending juveniles in criminal cases.
Lasting Consequences of
Juvenile Crime Conviction
Although the consequences associated with Juvenile crime convictions are usually not as severe as their adult counterpart, it is important that you still take juvenile charges seriously and treat them appropriately. Even less severe punishments can involve significant consequences like community service, fines, and probation.
For the most part, juvenile convictions are treated separately from adult convictions in terms of permanent records. Juvenile court dispositions (the outcomes of cases heard in juvenile court) are not included in criminal history record information, which is used for background checks. This means that a juvenile’s record will not come up in a criminal background check and will not affect the juvenile’s ability to get a job, join the military, or apply for other benefits. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. According to A.R.S. 13-501, juveniles from the ages of 14 to 18 who commit certain crimes can be tried as adults.
Being Tried As An Adult
According to A.R.S. 13-501, a minor can be tried as an adult in the state of Arizona if they have committed a crime that is classified as violent. This includes charges like murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, forcible sexual assault, armed robbery, and aggravated driving.
If the County Attorney wishes to try the juvenile as an adult, the judge must find probable cause that it is necessary to protect the community. In cases of violent offenses, this could mean a longer sentence in adult prison if the juvenile is convicted. In the case of a conviction, while tried as an adult, the conviction will remain on the minor’s permanent record and can have long-lasting effects outside of sentencing, including the ability to get a job, join the military, or apply for other benefits.
Juvenile Crimes According To Arizona Law
Juvenile criminal laws are specific to minors who are below the age of 18. Some different processes and procedures are followed in juvenile court, which is usually separate from adult criminal court. Juvenile crimes can result in serious consequences for the offender, such as time in a juvenile detention center, probation, or community service. Some common examples of juvenile crimes include, but are not limited to:
Underage DUI & Underage Drinking– Underage DUI and possession of alcohol laws punish anyone under the age of 21 who is caught with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.
Underage Drug Possession– Possession and use of drugs can be common among teenagers. Examples of drugs include Marijuana, prescription drugs, and other substances.
Juvenile Theft– Juvenile theft charges like shoplifting can be petty theft offenses, however, depending on the value of the property stolen it could result in a more serious, felony charge.
Vandalism– Vandalism is a criminal damage charge that can result in activities like graffiti, egging, and other acts that cause damage to or destroy property.
Truancy– Any child who is between six and sixteen years of age can be found truant if the number of absent days exceeds 10% of the number of attendance days required by state law.
The juvenile criminal defense attorneys at Antol & Sherman often help clients who have been accused of or convicted of juvenile crimes.
Underage DUIs & Possession of Alcohol
In the state of Arizona, if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol while you are underage, you will face significant consequences. An underage DUI is considered a class 1 misdemeanor, and the penalties can include up to six months in jail, suspension of your driver’s license, court fees and fines up to $2,500, required substance abuse education, counseling, screening, and community service.
It is important to note that the mandatory minimum jail time or fines associated with standard DUIs do not apply to underage DUIs. So, while the consequences may not be as severe as a standard DUI, they should still be taken very seriously.
Even if you are not driving under the influence, just being in the possession of alcoholic substances can be a serious offense that results in sanctions, one year of probation, and community service.
If you are convicted of an underage DUI or underage possession of alcohol it is important to seek help from an experienced attorney who can help minimize the impact on your life.
Underage Drug Possession
In the state of Arizona, it is a crime for a minor to knowingly possess or be in charge of a controlled substance. To obtain a conviction, the prosecutor will need to prove that the juvenile either knowingly possessed or controlled the drugs at issue.
The possession can be actual or constructive. Actual possession involves actual physical control of the drugs on one’s person or in one’s possession, such as in a purse or bedroom. Constructive possession requires proof that the offender was aware an illegal substance was within their presence, they had the intent to possess the drugs, and were physically able to take control and actual possession of the drugs.
In either case, a conviction for this offense can result in significant penalties, including, fines, community service, counseling, and in some cases jail time. That is why it is important to seek the help of experienced attorneys if you or a minor in your charge are charged with minor in possession of drug charges.
Juvenile Theft
In the state of Arizona, juvenile theft and shoplifting are usually considered to be petty theft offenses. This means that minors are often charged with a misdemeanor. However, the penalties for juvenile theft can vary depending on the value of the stolen property. If the property is worth $1,000 or more, the individual can be charged with a felony.
Several consequences can come with getting charged with juvenile theft. For example, the individual may be placed on probation, ordered to attend counseling, or required to pay restitution (money paid to the victim to cover the cost of the stolen property). Overall, juvenile theft is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly.
If you are charged with juvenile theft or shoplifting, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights and work to get the charges against you reduced or dropped altogether.
Vandalism
Vandalism is the intentional destruction or defacement of someone else’s property. This means that an act of vandalism can be a lot of different things ranging in severity from writing on a wall with a marker to acts causing more significant damage like breaking windows. Vandalism charges can range from a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 4 felony depending on the significance of the damages and other circumstances specific to each case.
If you are accused of vandalizing someone else’s property, it is important to seek legal representation. The attorneys at Antol & Sherman are experienced in criminal defense and can help you fight the charge. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Truancy
Arizona Truancy Laws are in place to ensure that minors between the ages of six and sixteen years of age regularly attend school unless excused, accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other authorized persons, or homeschooled. A minor is considered “habitually truant” if they have been truant for at least five school days within a given school year. Because it is the legal guardian’s responsibility to make sure that their children attend school, truancy has consequences for both the truant student and their guardians. A parent of a truant student could potentially face a Class 3 misdemeanor which could result in a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail. Students may be required to attend counseling or other types of educational programs as well as potentially be put on probation and have their driver’s license suspended.
If your child has received a truancy citation it is important to seek out the guidance of an experienced attorney who can help navigate your case and help protect your child’s best interests.
Penalties For Common Juvenile Crimes
The penalties for common juvenile crimes vary depending on the severity of the offense. The majority of Juvenile cases result in less severe punishments compared to their adult case counterparts. A large portion of Juvenile crime punishments will entail community service, fines, restitution, and/or probation. However, in more serious cases there is the possibility that the consequences may result in serving time in a juvenile detention facility, or, in the most serious cases, a child may be tried as an adult and face harsher penalties. Below is a list of the most probable penalties for common juvenile crimes.
- Underage DUI & Underage Drinking- Class 1 misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, suspension of your driver’s license, court fees and fines up to $2,500, required substance abuse education, counseling, screening, and community service.
- Underage Drug Possession- Fines, community service, counseling, and in some cases detention.
- Juvenile Theft- If the property is worth $1,000 or more, the individual can be charged with a felony. For the most part, consequences will include probation, being ordered to attend counseling, and being required to pay restitution.
- Vandalism- A charge of vandalism can range anywhere from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 4 felony, which can result in jail time and steep fines.
- Truancy- Court-ordered counseling, probation, and having their driver’s license suspended
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Read More >Free Initial Consultation
If you or a minor you are the legal guardian of are charged with a juvenile crime, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Antol & Sherman provides juvenile criminal defense for all juvenile cases and our experienced and aggressive team of juvenile criminal defense attorneys will fight your criminal charges and guard your freedom no matter your situation. Click the button below to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about what our law firm can do for you.
Experienced Trial Attorneys in
FLAGSTAFF
The law firm of Antol & Sherman, PC is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Our lawyers represent people throughout Northern Arizona in a variety of legal matters including:
• Criminal Defense, including DUI, drug
charges, violent crimes & serious felonies
• Family Law, including Child Custody,
Adoptions & Divorce
• DUIs – All types from first offense to
aggravated & felony DUI
Experienced Trial Attorneys in
Flagstaff
The law firm of Antol & Sherman, PC is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Our lawyers represent people throughout Northern Arizona in a variety of legal matters including: