Every single person makes mistakes in life, and children are no exception. Unfortunately, some children make poor choices that lead to them receiving criminal charges. In Louisiana, many juvenile criminal cases are handled in juvenile court, where the penalties are designed to promote the child’s rehabilitation. Penalties after a criminal conviction in juvenile court include probation, community service, rehabilitation, and counseling. On the other hand, some juveniles are charged as adults and have their cases moved from juvenile court to adult court. Criminal convictions in adult court can include lofty fines and jail or prison sentences.
Having a criminal conviction on a juvenile’s record may impact that child’s future college, employment, and/or housing prospects; therefore, you should ensure that your child secures excellent legal representation for his or her criminal case. John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm has a skilled team of criminal defense attorneys who have experience representing juvenile clients. We will advocate for your child and fight for the best outcome that will protect your child’s future.
Differences Between Juvenile Court and Adult Court
The facts and circumstances surrounding a juvenile defendant’s case will determine if the case will remain in juvenile court or be moved to adult court. There are a couple of notable differences between the two types of court. Most notably, juvenile courts aim to rehabilitate child defendants to become contributing members of society. On the other hand, adult court imposes adult penalties like fines and prison or jail sentences.
Another difference between juvenile and adult court is the right to a jury trial. Unlike adult court, there are no jury trials in juvenile court. In certain instances, a juvenile will be charged as an adult, and the case cannot be heard in juvenile court. This often occurs when the nature of the child’s suspected crime is particularly serious or the child already has a criminal record and did not respond positively to previous rehabilitation efforts.
For example, a child will be charged as an adult if they receive charges for crimes such as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated first-degree rape, or aggravated battery involving the discharge of a firearm. If your child is being charged as an adult for a serious criminal offense, you need a strong legal advocate on your child’s side.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Juvenile Criminal Convictions?
A juvenile who receives a criminal conviction will face consequences for the rest of his or her life. For example, colleges consider the criminal background of an applicant and may reject admission to juveniles with criminal convictions on their records. Additionally, criminal convictions will appear on any background checks, thus affecting a juvenile’s future employment or housing opportunities. Education, employment, and housing are three major aspects of adult life, and a juvenile with a criminal conviction might struggle in these three areas as a result of their past.
A juvenile with a criminal conviction may be able to pursue record sealing or expungement down the road; however, this option is not available to everyone. Additionally, children who are charged as adults and receive criminal convictions in adult court may have more difficulty with the expungement or record sealing process. If you or your child would like to explore either of these options, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer for legal guidance regarding the specifics of your case.
Reach Out to John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm Today
In Louisiana, children accused of crimes can be tried in either juvenile court or adult court depending on the facts of their alleged crimes. Many of the penalties imposed by juvenile court are designed to rehabilitate convicted juveniles so that they can become contributing members of society. When a child is convicted of a serious offense, the case may be sent to adult court where the punishments include fines and jail or prison sentences. Our skilled legal team is ready to represent your child in court and protect your child’s future.
John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm’s experienced attorneys are ready to discuss your child’s case today. To schedule a consultation, you can call (318) 377-1555 or fill out our contact form.