Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Attorney

When somebody under the age of 18 commits a criminal offense, it is typically charged as a juvenile crime. Minors can commit the same criminal offenses as adults, but their penalties are generally not as severe when they are charged as juveniles.

Arizona is typically more lenient with juveniles than with adults when it comes to punishing them for crimes. Minors convicted of crimes are oftentimes given an opportunity for rehabilitation instead of time in jail. This is part of Arizona’s philosophy that offering rehabilitation to minors will prevent them from committing crime again.

Minors with a criminal record, or who are convicted of serious felonies, such as murder or rape, can be punished severely. In some instances, they are tried as adults and are given the stiffest penalties possible. In Arizona, serious juvenile crimes are punishable by fines, jail sentences and time in a juvenile detention facility.

Being charged with a juvenile crime can affect a young person for the remainder of his or her life. Unless the juvenile’s record is expunged, the criminal charge will remain on the minor’s record forever, which could make it difficult to obtain a job, apply for scholarships and even gain admission to certain universities. Minors and their families need to take charges for juvenile crimes seriously in order to prevent lasting negative repercussions. A Mesa juvenile defense attorney can provide minors charged with juvenile crimes with the protection they need to get their life back on track.