{"id":4638,"date":"2023-04-13T11:57:14","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T15:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dualawfirm.com\/?page_id=4638"},"modified":"2023-05-02T16:05:51","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T20:05:51","slug":"juvenile-crime-defense-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dualawfirm.com\/services\/juvenile-crime-defense-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyer in Fairfax"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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When we\u2019re young, we are prone to make mistakes.\u00a0 It is generally considered to be a normal part of growing up.\u00a0 This is understood by basically any parent with experience raising a child, or simply remembering what it was like to be a child.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the criminal justice system in Fairfax County is not quite as understanding when a juvenile is alleged to have broken the law.\u00a0 In fact, simple mistakes committed by a minor could actually result in serious criminal prosecution, incarceration, and a permanent criminal record that will hinder the juvenile\u2019s future prospects.<\/p>

Who is Considered a Juvenile in Virginia? <\/strong><\/h2>

Under Virginia law, anyone who is under the age of 18 is considered to be a juvenile. The \u201cage of accountability\u201d in the Commonwealth is 18. This is important because when a juvenile is alleged to have committed a crime, they are not considered to be old enough, or of sufficient mind, to be held responsible for their actions in the same way an adult is held accountable for committing the same alleged offense. Juvenile criminal offenses are handled differently than adult criminal offenses and usually are not considered as serious because of the age of the alleged offender.<\/p>

If your child is charged with committing a crime in Fairfax, it is extremely important to have an understanding of the potential penalties associated with a conviction for a juvenile criminal offense, in addition to the legal rights afforded to your child so you can mount a compelling and persuasive defense. Committing a crime before the age of 18 does not have to mean your child\u2019s life is over. You can fight the charges with the assistance of a respected and knowledgeable Fairfax juvenile defense lawyer.<\/p>

Penalties Associated with a Conviction for a Virginia Juvenile Criminal Offense<\/strong><\/h2>

If your child is convicted is committing a crime and breaking the law in Fairfax, the penalties can be quite severe depending on the circumstances of the offense. If a crime is committed by a juvenile and they are tried as a minor, there is usually no jail time if they are convicted of the offense. However, if the minor is alleged to have committed a more serious criminal offense, they could wind up with a permanent, public criminal record which could significantly harm the child later in life, especially when the juvenile tries to apply for jobs, sign a lease, get a credit card, and so forth.<\/p>

Misdemeanor criminal offenses usually do not result in a public criminal record for the juvenile. On the other hand, juveniles over the age of 14 who are convicted of a felony will be marked as convicted felons for the rest of their lives. Even though juveniles may not serve time behind bars for their crimes, a juvenile crime can still have negative consequences that reverberate years down the road.<\/p>

Laws Governing Juvenile Criminal Offenses<\/strong><\/h2>

Most laws governing juveniles are under Virginia Code \u00a7 16.1. However, the criminal offenses your child is alleged to have committed may fall under provisions of the Virginia Code. Because juveniles are not considered old enough to be held responsible for their actions, the penalties for juveniles are generally more lenient than for adults, but that can change depending on the criminal offense.<\/p>

Examples of Common Juvenile Criminal Offenses <\/strong><\/h2>

There are many crimes that are commonly committed by juveniles, many of which fall under Virginia Code \u00a7 18.2. Each individual crime has its own set of potential penalties depending on the circumstances of the offense. Here are some examples:<\/p>