Parents are always trying to protect their children from any kind of harm as they grow through childhood and adolescence. However, sometimes, your child may take it upon themselves to get into situations that are dangerous in a myriad of ways. If your child gets charged with a crime, you may be at a loss for how to handle the situation. And one of the first thoughts you may have when your young child or teenager is in trouble with the law is whether or not you should or need to hire a defense attorney to help get them out of trouble. 

Your Child Is Nearing The Age Of 18

If your child is nearing the age of 18, it is considered to be something of a gray area in the legal world. The legal age of adulthood is 18. However, when a crime is particularly brutal, is considered to be planned and premeditated, or your child is considered to be mature enough to be considered an adult prior to 18. 

The differences between juvenile court and adult criminal court are stark. Punishments in adult court are much more severe. Juvenile court records are often sealed to prevent indiscretions during youth from completely derailing a child's life and can even be expunged from their record entirely if certain qualifications are met. However, when an adult is tried for a crime, the court record is available to the public and any conviction will also be public record.

As such, if your child is nearing the age of 18 or the court determines that they acted as an adult, then it is a necessity to get your child a defense lawyer to help them to better deal with and handle the case. A defense attorney will have the know-how to get them the best possible results from the trial and may be able to settle the case for reduced charges that can help your child to overcome their troubles and move forward with their life.

The Crime Is Particularly Severe Or It Is Not Their First Offense

If your child is being accused of a severe crime, such as violent crimes like sexual assault, homicide, or manslaughter, then you should go out and find the best possible defense attorney to represent them in court. Whether they are tried as a juvenile or adult for these crimes, the punishments can and likely will include incarceration in a prison or juvenile detention center if your child is found guilty.

Additionally, the consequences for a second or third offense are often more harsh than those for a first offense. If this is not your child's first time on the wrong side of the law, you may find it in your child's best interest to hire a defense attorney. For their first crime, it may have been sufficient to use a court-appointed attorney or forgo an attorney altogether. But when your child continues to have problems, this may not be your child's best option.

With these considerations in mind, you can better determine if you should hire a defense attorney for your child or teen who has been accused of a crime. For more information, contact local professionals like Thomas A Corletta.

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