juvenile Archives - Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys

What to Do If You’re a Minor Who’s Been Arrested

info@utahwebdesignpros.com — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 16:46:03 +0000

You must know your rights if you are a minor and have been arrested. You may be feeling scared and overwhelmed, but it is important to remember that you have options. This blog post will discuss the steps you can take to protect yourself after being arrested. We will also talk about what to do if you are contacted by the police or immigration officials.

First, it’s important to know that you have rights when being arrested and questioned. Regardless of your age and immigration status, you can remain silent and not answer any questions. You also have the right to contact an attorney or legal representative. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the government may provide you free of charge.

You must never sign any documents in custody without consulting with an attorney. You should also be aware of your rights during search and seizure procedures. The police must obtain a warrant before entering your home or vehicle; they cannot legally enter these areas without permission or consent from either yourself or another adult occupant. Additionally, if you are stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, you have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions.

You must also understand your rights when it comes to being arrested in public. You do not have to talk to the police or answer their questions, even if you are asked for identification. However, you must remain calm and cooperate with the officers as much as possible. Doing so can help make sure that everyone stays safe during the process.

Finally, if you are a minor arrested or detained by law enforcement, you must contact an attorney immediately. Your lawyer will be able to advise and guide you through the process while protecting your rights throughout every step. This can help ensure that the situation is handled safely and legally. Your lawyer will also ensure that if a cop has done anything incorrectly, they are held responsible for their actions.

Understanding your rights as a minor after being arrested can ensure you are protected throughout the process. Knowing what to do if contacted by the police or immigration officials is essential in protecting yourself and standing up for your rights. We hope this blog post has provided helpful information on protecting yourself if you are arrested or detained as a minor.

Disclaimer: Information, rules, and regulations are constantly changing. Contact our office for the most accurate information to help you after your arrest.

How juvenile crimes can follow you forever

info@utahwebdesignpros.com — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:17:41 +0000

Some people think that just because a person is young, they cannot find themselves in real trouble. The reality of the situation is that children and minors can often make mistakes that can affect their adult lives. The juvenile justice system is ideally created to help minors learn from their mistakes and change course before going down the wrong path as adults. This means that the court is likely to favor a decision that focuses on reformation rather than conventional punishment. Youthful offenders are less likely to have felony-level sanctions imposed that carry prison sentences. But just because a person is under the age of 18 does not mean that ramifications will not significantly impact.

Ways that juvenile crimes can impact your life

One of the biggest misconceptions about the juvenile justice system is that your record permanently seals and will not follow you into adulthood. It is essential to realize that apart from the stigma someone can face, these records can still be viewed under certain circumstances. This includes the military, colleges, police academies, financial institutions, and various employers. Your record does not automatically become expunged when you reach the age of 18.

Below are some ways that a previous conviction can affect your life.

A person with a juvenile record may no longer be eligible or have difficulties pursuing a law enforcement career or the justice system.
A person may be kicked out of school. Principles or school officials may request records of previous arrests or convictions concerning safety or disciplinary matters.
Your fingerprints and DNA may be placed on file in the national directory.

Expunging your juvenile record

Every state has its own rules and regulations regarding expunging, sealing, or destroying juvenile court and arrest records. Many factors are taken into consideration when this happens. This includes the seriousness of the offense, the person’s age, any other related crimes since a person has reached the age of 18, and when the offense was committed.

Although certain measures can be taken after charges have been imposed, it may be the best course to mitigate the charges as they have occurred. One of the best things a minor and their families can do is to seek legal representation. If your child is charged with a crime working with an attorney can help reduce the likelihood of being placed in a detention center. This also includes the removal of driving privileges or a reduction of charges or fines. If you live in Utah and would like to speak with a juvenile defense attorney, call us at 801-987-8409 to speak with a legal professional or schedule a consultation.

Your Misdemeanor Case Matters – Juvenile Cases Matter Too

info@utahwebdesignpros.com — Thu, 02 May 2019 17:15:53 +0000

I was reminded this week how the impact of hiring an attorney could last long after a jury has reached a verdict, a settlement has been made, or a case has been dismissed. Many attorneys focus on the “big” cases – serious felonies, federal charges, large civil suits – they forget how important a “little” case can be. My practice consists of both big and little cases, and I like it that way.
I love those cases other attorneys scoff at, like juvenile offenses and minor misdemeanor charges.
Were you charged with petty theft, malicious injury, driving without privileges, or a juvenile case?
Of course, you deserve the best legal help you can get, and you need a lawyer who cares about you and your case and, more importantly, about your future.
Why don’t I focus all of my attention on catching the big one? Because all of the little cases matter. Sometimes, they count even more. A minor misdemeanor charge for a person who has no legal status in the country is often a huge deal, even if it’s a simple driving offense. People can lose their right to remain here with loved ones over simple driving offenses. Little cases matter big time.
Juvenile offenses aren’t always about a kid who wants to run away or is skipping class. Daily, juveniles are charged with misdemeanors and felonies that can potentially change their lives at such an early age completely. The juvenile system is focused on ensuring that a child does not end up in the adult criminal system years later. The courts work with juveniles and their parents, as well as teachers, counselors, and probation officers, to get these kids on the right track for their future. These are not just “little” cases. Juvenile case matters big time, too!
A former juvenile client contacted me a couple of weeks ago with what she described as a huge favor – would I be her mentor for her senior project this year?
This client, by the way, had a case that included both a big and little charge. The felony charge was ultimately dismissed, and she pleads guilty to the misdemeanor. With the court and the prosecutor’s help, my client and her family had a positive experience, and she now thinks she’d like to go to law school.
Being her mentor for a semester is not a considerable favor; it’s an honor. An honor that I might not have gotten to experience if I focused only on catching the big case.

Juvenile Criminal Defense

info@utahwebdesignpros.com — Sun, 03 May 2015 17:56:04 +0000

Under Utah law, a juvenile is someone who is under the age of 21 and has broken or violated the law – whether the law is local, state, or federal – before their eighteenth birthday. Youths under the age of fourteen are not responsible for criminal conduct or the violation of laws.

When a juvenile commits a crime, the case is taken and tried before the juvenile court system, and only under extraordinary circumstances (such as a juvenile being charged with murder) would a juvenile case be taken and tried in the district courts (where criminal trials for adults are held). Generally speaking, the parents of a juvenile charged with a crime cannot be charged for the child unless they were complicit or aided in completing the offense.

The juvenile court system is designed to help juveniles avoid incarceration and stop them from heading down the path to further criminal activity. As a result, the juvenile justice system is classed as a civil court, instead of a criminal court, and the decisions made there are focused upon rehabilitation and change instead of punishment. However, just because the juvenile system’s primary goal is rehabilitation does not mean that penalties decided there will not be harsh and/or have life-long consequences and repercussions for the juvenile.

Being charged with a crime is a serious matter at any age, but having a criminal record from such a young age can lead to life-long problems for future employment, schooling, and housing; even obtaining certain professional certifications can become difficult. Although a juvenile conviction is referred to as ‘adjudication’ and is technically not classed as a conviction at all, employers and others can ask to see your records. They may play a role in decisions that are then made.

If your child has been charged with a violation of the law and is being remanded into juvenile court, you need an experienced, caring lawyer on your side who knows how the juvenile court works. The repercussions from adjudication and the ensuing implications of being in juvenile court can last for the rest of your child’s life. Call the attorneys at the Ault Firm today, and we can help you fight to keep your child’s record clean – and to make sure that they will be free to go after all the opportunities that open up for them in the years to come.

(See our webpage on juvenile criminal defense for more information.)