When your child faces accusations of criminal behavior, you may find yourself wondering how you can best protect them. you may be concerned with the specific charges against them, the penalties they could be facing, and how it will affect their future. Seeking legal counsel to defend your child against the charges they are confronted with should be a top priority.
Choosing your Marion County juvenile defense lawyer with Koffel Brininger Nesbitt could be the right option for you and your child. Your trial-proven Marion County criminal defense lawyer has been providing exceptional legal counsel to families confronting the Ohio judicial system for over 30 years. Connect with our firm to receive a confidential case evaluation to learn how we can help safeguard your child’s future.
Understanding the Charges Your Child May Be Accused Of
When children are accused of criminal activity, your first instinct may be to find these accusations unreasonable. Depending on the specific factors involved in your child’s case, they could be facing serious criminal penalties. However, there could be opportunities for diversion programs so that your child may avoid physical detention.
Similar to adults, juveniles can be charged with criminal offenses on either the misdemeanor or felony level. Children can also violate specific codes that are not necessarily considered criminal yet are evidence of behavior that needs to be addressed. Known as status offenses, as described by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection (OJJDP), these violations commonly include running away, skipping school, and ignoring curfews.
If your child has been accused of committing a criminal offense, it will likely be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanor offenses may be less likely to carry harsh punishments but can still hinder your child’s ability to find employment or entry into college. Accusations of felony charges can carry serious penalties for your child, and a conviction could follow them for the rest of their lives.
For a free legal consultation with a juvenile defense lawyer serving Marion, call 614-884-1100
Potential Options for Juvenile Offenders
Depending on the accusations your child is facing and the circumstances surrounding them, you may have potential options beyond incarceration if your child is convicted. Your Marion County juvenile defense lawyer may evaluate the possibility of your child entering a diversion program rather than detention. The state of Ohio prefers to take a rehabilitative approach to juvenile offenders rather than outright punishing them.
Ohio’s statewide Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) works to provide rehabilitation programs for children to address their delinquent behavior in a positive and supportive environment. With opportunities for kids to participate in behavioral health services, employment opportunities, and community services, your child has a chance to preserve their future. Working with officials, your juvenile defense attorney in Marion County can explore chances for your child to improve their situation.
If your child is facing serious criminal charges, according to the Ohio State Bar, if they are over 14 years of age and the accusations include physical harm to others, the court may choose to prosecute them as an adult. We will use every available resource to get their charges reduced to a more manageable level. Even if they are faced with incarceration, they may still have opportunities to plead their case down to avoid the lasting stigma or a criminal conviction.
Marion Juvenile Defense Lawyer Near Me 614-884-1100
Different Accusations of Crimes Juveniles Could Face
Many children engage in activities that may be considered unruly or delinquent. It is dependent on the circumstances of the charges your child is accused of that will determine the penalties they could be facing. Juveniles we have defended have been accused of charges including:
- Shoplifting
- Theft under Ohio Revised Code §2913.02
- Assault
- Vandalism under Ohio Revised Code §2909.05
- Battery
- Traffic violations
- Sexual assault under Ohio Revised Code §5924.120
- Underage DUI/OVI
- Driving without a license
- Possession of false ID
- Drug possession
While many of these offenses can carry severe penalties for adults, when juveniles are accused of any crime, the state of Ohio looks for any opportunity to help the child rather than punish them. Your juvenile defense attorney in Marion County can evaluate the circumstances surrounding the accusations against your child to help determine what is in the child’s best interest. We will then work with law enforcement and court officials to find the best solution while accounting for the preservation of your child’s future.
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Penalties Your Child Could Face and Potential Remedies
The Ohio Supreme Court has outlined the penalties that juvenile offenders could receive depending on the details of their charges. Ranging from minor to serious consequences, the prospect of facing these penalties may be enough to convince your child to adjust their behavior away from the harmful acts they are accused of committing to being a positive member of society. Some of the common results of criminal charges include:
- Paying restitution to victims
- Placing the child on probation
- Remanding the child to the custody of the court
- Court-ordered drug and alcohol testing
- Court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Community service
- Diversion programs
The specific circumstances of the events resulting in the criminal charges your child is facing will be the most determinant factor if they are convicted. Avoiding a conviction altogether can be the best opportunity for your child to minimize the damage to their future. Consulting with your Marion County juvenile defense lawyer and discussing the details of your child’s case can provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your child.
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Find the Assistance Your Child Needs to Safeguard Their Freedom and Future
When your child is facing the potential consequences resulting from poor decisions or falling in with the wrong crowd, you want to protect them as best you can. Finding the right legal advocate who will take the time to learn about your child and the circumstances surrounding their charges can make all the difference. A criminal conviction could follow them for the rest of their life and prevent them from building the future they hoped for.
The legal team at Koffel Brininger Nesbitt has been defending clients in Ohio for more than three decades. Connect with a strategic Marion County juvenile defense attorney to provide your child with the best chance for a positive outcome. Contact our law firm now by filling out our online contact form or call our office to find the support you and your child need as soon as today.
Call or text 614-884-1100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form