Juvenile Court

The juvenile court system has a separate set of rules and procedures. One of the most apparent differences between juvenile and adult criminal court is the level of rights given to defendants. Juveniles are entitled to less rights than defendants in adult criminal court since they are usually still under their guardians custody. For instance, many states do not allow trial by jury for juvenile offenders; however, all states give juveniles the right to an attorney and the right to an appeal.

Minor Versus Juvenile

Many people are confused by the term minor. A minor is both the same and different from a juvenile. A minor is any person that is prohibited to perform a certain activity, such as driving a car, voting, and drinking alcohol. If a person is under the age of 21, they are considered a minor when it comes to alcohol consumption. If a person is under the age of 18, they are considered a minor when it comes to voting. In contrast, juveniles are specifically persons between a certain ages.

Children Under 10 Years Old

If a child under the age of 10 years old commits a crime, they are not tried in the juvenile court system. Instead, they are entered into a state-run or government-administrated social services program. Here, they are evaluated and rehabilitated by professionals in the social service and child care industries. It is important to talk to an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney if your juvenile or child has been charged with a crime. They have the knowledge and resources to defend your child’s case and avoid the maximum penalties for their charges.

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514

Juvenile Criminal Lawyer 317-636-7514

When a person who is 18 years of age or older is caught committing a crime, police will arrest them, detain them, and then take them into custody. Adult offenders are generally brought to a county jail, booked, and then given an opportunity to post bail once it is set by a judge. As for children who commit crimes, they are not always arrested, but if they are, they do not have the right to bail as adults do. Instead, a separate set of guidelines are in order for juvenile crimes and arrests.

Continue reading to learn which options police officers have when they are confronted with children who disobey the law and how they choose which one to use.

Detention and Penalties for Children

When a child is caught disobeying the law, a police officer has a few choices. His decision will depend on several factors, including the child’s age, the severity of the crime, the family’s ability to take over, and more. Here are 3 options a police officer has when faced with juvenile crimes:

❶ On-Site Counseling and Release

A police officer may decide that a child simply deserves a stern lecture and kind counseling as a penalty for their crime. For children who are young or have committed a minor infraction, such as j-walking or trespassing, a cop can decide to counsel a child at the scene, give them a lecture about making good choices and the consequences of poor choices, and then release them back into the streets. They choose this route with children who seem capable of reasoning and agreeable to discussion, and who is not a danger to themselves or others.

❷ A Ride Home in a Squad Car

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An officer may decide to give the child a ride home in the back seat of their squad car as a penalty. They will choose this avenue for a few reasons. For instance, they may choose this option if they believe releasing the child is necessary, but releasing them back into the streets would not be safe or in the child’s best interest. Not only does this option provide safety, it also teaches children a lesson. A ride in a cop car is serious, but showing up at home with a police officer is even more distressing. The officer will up the penalty by discussing the circumstances with the parents, who can then decide on
a proper remedy for their child.

❸ A Trip to the Police Station

If a minor’s crime is more severe, and does not fit the terms for a “catch and release” form of punishment, like the two mentioned above, a police officer will transport the minor to the police station. There, the juvenile will be detained in an office-like setting, but sometimes police may place them in a cell by themselves if a minor is being uncooperative. What happens next primarily depends on the circumstances and guardianship of the child. Usually, the child is detained at the station until the parents come to pick them up. For children who do not have available or adequate family members, they are placed into the custody of child protective services. But for more serious crimes, minors are placed in lock-up and charged accordingly.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense for Minors

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for aggressive juvenile criminal defense representation in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work around the clock to ensure your child’s rights are protected and their freedoms are preserved. Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your case and the best strategies for defense. Call 317-636-7514 to speak with an Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who cares.

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Tag Archives: children committing crimes

Who is Considered a Juvenile?

Under Indiana law, a juvenile is a person who is between 10 and 17 years old. Once a person turns 18, they are considered adults in the eyes of the law. Continue reading to learn more.