Juvenile Crimes in VA
Newport News Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyers Serving All of Hampton Roads
Juveniles are individuals under the age of 18 years old. When a juvenile
has violated a law within the juvenile justice system, they are governed
under a specific set of laws and procedures. The juvenile system includes
specific departments, including the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District
Courts, law enforcement, correctional facilities, and programs that serve
juvenile offenders.
The department that has the primary responsibility for juvenile justice
systems is the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Talk with our
Newport News juvenile defense lawyer at once to learn more about your
case and find out the options available.
Information on Juvenile Crimes
If your child has been
charged with a criminal offense, it is important to gain a strong understanding of the process associated
with the juvenile court. Obtain a free case evaluation with our firm to
discuss your case and find out what we can accomplish for you. Some of
the information you should understand about juvenile crimes include:
Juvenile vs. Adult Justice
There are many differences between the juvenile justice system and the
adult justice system. The language used between law enforcement is vastly
different, for example. Another primary difference is the focus of the
justice system. The focus of the juvenile justice system in Virginia is
on rehabilitation, rather than punishment.
Criminal Record
In Virginia, a felony conviction for a juvenile will remain on the criminal
record for the remainder of his or her life. Misdemeanor convictions are
often eventually dropped from the criminal record. Typically, the conviction
is removed once the juvenile turns 19 years old or 5 years after the offense
is committed. Traffic offenses, however, remain on the individual's
Department of Motor Vehicles record until he or she turns 29 years old.
Common Types of Juvenile Offenses
Although juveniles are capable to commit any type of criminal offense,
there are a few crimes that minors frequently commit. Most of these crimes
are first-time offenses. The most common juvenile crimes are:
- Vandalism
- Shoplifting
- Simple assault
- Underage drinking
- Drunk driving
- Gang violence
- Making and / or using fake identification
- Hazing
Legal Guidance from Our Newport News Criminal Lawyer
Whether you are a juvenile in need of defense for driving under the influence
or your child has been arrested for gang violence, you will need to obtain
legal guidance. Our Newport News criminal attorney has almost 40 years
of experience fighting for the rights of his clients. We can be of help
to protect your legal rights. Following an arrest, you and your family
should gain as much information as possible. You must remember that you
always have options that we can discuss with you. With a competent lawyer
by your side, you have a strong chance of having the charges reduced or
dismissed.
Contact our firm today to begin pursuing defense!