Juvenile Offense Lawyer in Miami

Also Protecting Clients throughout Fort Lauderdale

Anyone who is alleged to have committed a violation of law prior to their 18^th birthday is under the jurisdiction of juvenile law. Juvenile offenders and their parents are frequently confused about how the state's juvenile justice system works and what possible penalties children might face. The good news is that these young offenders are often eligible for diversion programs that focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. The Miami juvenile offense lawyer at The Hoffman Firm helps young people fight criminal charges.

Call us at (305) 928-1669 if you are in Miami, or 954-737-3004 if you are in Broward County, to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Common Types of Juvenile Charges in Florida

Technically, a person under the age of 18 can be charged with most any violation of the law that an adult can. Juvenile arrests, however, typically stem from many of the same kinds of alleged crimes.

A few of the offenses that juveniles are most frequently charged with include:

• Minor in possession
• Possession of fake ID
• Criminal mischief
• Misdemeanor simple assault
• Misdemeanor battery
• Burglary
• Disorderly conduct
• Resisting arrest

In the cases of first-time misdemeanor offenses, police officers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale may issue citations to alleged juvenile offenders instead of placing them under arrest. The Civil Citation Program (CCP) still involves treatment that may include community service, counseling, and/or drug testing.

Criminal Process for Juveniles vs. Adults

When a juvenile is arrested in Florida, the police may take the minor to a Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) for intake to determine if they need to be placed in a secure detention facility or be released to a parent or guardian either with a referral to a juvenile diversion program.

In certain cases, juveniles may be prosecuted in adult courts, but it is generally more favorable for alleged offenders to be tried as a child rather than an adult. Alleged offenders in juvenile cases have the right to a lawyer and their guilt still must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Juveniles do not, however, have the right to a jury trial as their cases are decided by the judges who hear the cases.

Juvenile courts in Florida generally try to focus on rehabilitation rather than imprisonment, but the nature of an alleged offense or prior criminal records can lead to some alleged juvenile offenders not being accepted for diversion programs. In such cases, the court sentence convicts juveniles to prison, probation, or other penalties, but a criminal defense attorney can help negotiate to achieve the most favorable outcome.

How We Can Help

Attorney Evan Hoffman is a former prosecutor who represents alleged juvenile offenders in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Any arrest can have serious potential long-term consequences, but this is especially true when the alleged offender is a child. Criminal records can have severe impact when it comes to future academic careers and employment. However, we want to help young people find better alternatives for incarceration to avoid losing out on a hopeful future.

Depending on the criminal history of an alleged juvenile offender, some alternative penalties can include:

• Community service
• Counseling
• Curfew
• Driver’s license suspension
• Drug treatment
• Fines
• House arrest
• Juvenile detention center sentence
• Letters of apology
• Mandatory attendance in self-improvement program
• Probation
• Restitution
• Teen Court jury duty

It is important to seek the help of a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible for help ensuring that you or your child can have adjudication withheld or be accepted into a program that can help avoid a criminal record. An attorney can work to help achieve the most favorable possible outcome to your case.

Give us a call at (305) 928-1669 today if you are in Miami. Call us at 954-737-3004 if you are in Broward County.