Being charged with a crime is a deeply stressful situation, but if your child is the one who has been charged, you may be even more scared. While minors usually do not face the same criminal consequences as adults, a criminal conviction can still have an enormous impact on their future.
If your child is facing charges, they need your support, as well as that of an experienced lawyer. Taking these steps will help protect your child’s legal rights and give them a better chance of an outcome in their best interest.
1. Stay Calm
As a parent, you are likely very worried about your child right now. Nevertheless, one of the best things you can do for your child is try to take a calm approach to the situation. They will need level-headed adults to help them get a fair legal defense.
2. Support Your Child
Your child needs your support more than ever right now. They are in a very difficult situation, and they will need help to navigate it. It will mean a lot to them if you can be there for them throughout this time and support them through the legal proceedings.
3. Contact an Attorney
Your child deserves a fair defense from an experienced criminal defense attorney who can devote significant time to their case. You will want an attorney who has experience with juvenile law and can advise you and your child on your child’s rights and options. A good attorney will also help you understand the potential consequences of the charges for your child.
4. Learn About Your Child’s Legal Rights
Washington state law strictly protects your child’s access to an attorney. Law enforcement is required to provide juveniles with access to an attorney for consultation before they waive any constitutional rights if an officer:
- Questions them during a custodial interrogation.
- Detains them based on probable cause of involvement in criminal activity.
- Requests that they provide consent to a search for evidence.
If law enforcement does not follow the above procedure, your child’s statements are not legally admissible in either a juvenile offender or adult criminal court proceeding.
In most cases, minors who are charged with crimes are tried in a juvenile court, which follows different rules and has different goals from the adult system. The juvenile court system aims to focus on both rehabilitation and accountability, and punishments tend to be less severe than what an adult would receive for the same crime. Since minors are not mature and still have developing brains, they are considered less criminally culpable.
However, there are some situations where a court can decide to try a minor as an adult. This is more likely to happen if your child has been charged with a serious crime, like aggravated assault or murder. Your child’s age, criminal history, and past response to juvenile interventions can also be factors.
Your child’s attorney can further advise you and your child about your child’s legal rights. Many of their rights are the same rights that an adult accused of a crime would have, but there are additional laws protecting juveniles who are accused of crimes. Some lesser-known laws may be especially pertinent to your child’s situation.
5. Work With Your Child’s Attorney
Your child’s attorney will be able to advise you based on current legal procedures and the local court. It’s a good idea to follow their instructions. They may ask you to provide more information so they can defend your child more effectively. Depending on the situation, they may also suggest that you enroll your child in a counseling or rehabilitation program to address underlying issues that could have contributed to the arrest.
6. Plan to Attend Court
Coming to your child’s court appearances and hearings can make a big difference. It’s an opportunity to emotionally support your child. Your presence means a lot to them. It’s also a good way to show that your child has a stable support system, which may help the court to consider your child’s situation more favorably.
Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Western Washington?
The Anderson Hunter Law Firm provides legal defense for individuals accused of crimes in Snohomish, King, Skagit, Whatcom, and Pierce Counties, as well as in the Tulalip and Muckleshoot Tribal Courts. We have experience defending individuals accused of both misdemeanors and felonies, including driving offenses, assault, burglary, and many other criminal offenses. If our criminal defense lawyers are not a good fit for your child’s case for any reason, we can recommend another firm or attorney who is a good fit.
Request a consultation with an Anderson Hunter criminal defense lawyer today.