Your Child's Rights in Juvenile Court

    MIAMI, FL, February 02, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When your child has been accused of committing a juvenile crime, it is important to remember that they are still entitled to certain rights. It is possible that your child is guilty of the crime they have been accused of committing. That is no reason however for the justice system to deny your child their guaranteed rights. Crimes committed by children are most often a simple mistake of youth. An experienced juvenile defense attorney will work with your family to help ensure your child is herd, and that justice is rehabilitative as opposed to punitive.

Rights of Your Child

Your family and your child have rights including:

- A right to counsel - Like adults, children are protected by the right to have their attorney present during all interrogations with law enforcement. This is incredibly important. Children often lack the foresight necessary to understand the full implications of their actions. With an attorney present, you can rest assured that their best interests and their future are being protected

- A right to privileged communications - In adult matters, a husband and wife enjoy privileged communications. This is not the case with juvenile crimes, where parents can be forced to testify against their own children. Your child is guaranteed privileged communication only with their attorney. As difficult as this may make things for you, it is important that you do not try to discuss your child's alleged crime with them at any time. This is for the protection of your entire family.

- Your child is not entitled to a trial by jury. All juvenile cases are heard in a special court specifically designed to deal with juvenile crimes. The focus of this court is to help juvenile criminals avoid a lifetime of crime by placing an emphasis on rehabilitation. While this is the focus, it is not always the reality. An experienced juvenile defense attorney will work to ensure the particulars of your child's case are made clear and appropriate sentencing is given.

You have put years into raising a responsible, honorable member of society. Juvenile crimes can happen quickly and without much thought from your child. These are special circumstances that require an attorney who is familiar with juvenile law, and can see that your child gets the help they truly need.

If your child has been accused of committing a crime in or around Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm, or Ft. Myers, Florida, please visit the website of the Cochran Firm South Florida to see how our juvenile defense attorneys can help at www.cochranfirmsouthflorida.com.

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