Adults are not the only people who commit crimes. Minors under the age of 18 can also be found guilty of committing a criminal offense. In California, the legal rights of these juvenile offenders are the same as adult offenders. However, bail is not an option in the juvenile court process, even though California’s juvenile system has supposedly been designed to emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration.
Suppose authorities have detained your child in Santa Barbara for committing a crime. In that case, the most important thing you can do to protect your child is to seek the assistance of an experienced California juvenile defense attorney. When you choose to partner with Aron Law Firm, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to protect your child’s rights and mitigate any penalties they may be facing.
Types of Juvenile Crimes We Can Create Defense Strategies for in Santa Barbara
Occasionally, minors will run into trouble with the authorities in Santa Barbara. At Aron Law Firm, we take special care when handling cases that involve juveniles. We are capable of creating effective defense strategies for various juvenile crimes, including:
- Arson
- Assault
- Auto accidents
- Breaking and entering
- Bullying
- Crimes at school
- Curfew violations
- Destruction of property
- Driving violations
- Drug charges
- Gang activity
- Incorrigibility
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Running away
- Stalking
- Theft charges
- Trespassing
- Truancy
- Underage drinking
- Vandalism
- Weapons charges
Children under the age of 18 are not always charged as juveniles in Santa Barbara. Depending on the charges your child is facing, they could be treated as an adult in the California criminal justice system. If the charges your child is facing are severe, it is imperative that you hire a juvenile defense attorney to defend your child’s rights.
Possible Consequences of Juvenile Crimes in Santa Barbara, California
Burdening a minor with a serious criminal record before they enter adulthood can have severe long-term consequences on a still-developing child. Leaving a child in the juvenile criminal system to “teach them a lesson” can also make things worse as they will spend more and more time around young criminals rather than positive role models.
Depending on the crime your child has been accused of, they could also be subject to penalties such as:
- Community service
- Fines
- Mandatory completion of training programs
- Placement in a foster home
- Probation
- Restitution to the victim(s)
- Secured detention
- Time in a correctional facility or Juvenile Hall
Most juvenile criminal records are eligible for sealing, allowing a child’s crimes to be hidden from public record in California. Sealing a minor’s criminal records can provide them with opportunities they may otherwise have lost out on, such as some housing and employment prospects. However, this process is not automatic and requires the juvenile to file a petition with the juvenile court to be granted a criminal record seal.
Contact an Experienced Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney in Santa Barbara, California
At Aron Law Firm, we strive to understand the needs of our clients at a deep level, so we invest substantial time and energy into every case. This level of care is fundamental when working to protect the future of a child under the age of 18. The juvenile system in Santa Barbara can be detrimental to a developing child, so we do everything we can to keep them out of it.
When you need help defending a criminal charge against your minor child, you need to partner with an attorney with the skills required to construct an effective defense strategy. Call an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney serving clients in Santa Barbara today at (805) 500-0867 or send us a completed contact form to request more information about your legal options.