Juvenile crimes are generally treated somewhat differently in Arizona than crimes committed by adults, but that does not mean that facing a charge for a crime is not a serious matter if the defendant is not of adult age. If you or someone you care for is facing such a scenario, you owe it to yourself to provide for the best possible representation by a juvenile crimes attorney.
That process should start by contacting the criminal defense lawyers at Phillips Law Group, as the firm has many years of experience in helping those charged with these crimes. The firm also offers flexible payment plans so that finances will not be a barrier to justice. Below is an overview of the issue of juvenile crimes in Arizona.
Juvenile crimes have been in existence and strongly enforced for several decades. One of the greatest misnomers regarding juvenile crimes is that these charges are not as serious as others. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth for several reasons, including the fact that a convicted defendant could face several years of incarceration if he or she is convicted of a serious crime.
There are historical differences in the ways in which juvenile crimes are treated in Arizona. For instance, many counties with a large population have a separate court system for juvenile cases, and even more rural areas still treat these matters separately. Additionally, trials for juveniles have traditionally been heard by judges instead of juries, and part of the reason for this is that juvenile records are generally sealed.
However, recent history has shown a troubling trend for those who have been accused of juvenile crimes. When the alleged crime is violent in nature, such as rape, homicide or violent gang activity, more and more juveniles are being charged as adults and being faced with the prospect of being convicted and sentenced much like any adult. This includes the possibility for decades in prison if the defendant is convicted. Therefore, if you are facing a charge for juvenile crimes, you need to secure a strong criminal defense team, which is why you should contactPhillips Law Group as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation.
Juvenile crimes are generally investigated much like any other crime in Arizona. Police will receive a complaint, complete a preliminary report and get started on relentlessly pursuing the identification of the prime suspect or suspects. This is done by meticulously examining the crime scene, locating and questioning witnesses and ultimately questioning suspects that may have committed the crimes alleged.
It should be noted that the police are particularly adept at questioning witnesses and suspects in juvenile settings, as younger people tend to be more easily intimidated by police pressure and less likely to understand their rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore, witnesses and suspects are somewhat more willing to provide statements to police that help build the case.
If you find yourself being questioned for juvenile crimes, you need to understand that you also enjoy the same rights and protections under the Constitution as any adult. You have the right to remain silent and you have the right to an attorney, and before you provide statements or evidence that could be used against you, you need to invoke those rights. When you do so, a juvenile crimes attorney fromPhillips Law Group will make sure to meet with you as soon as possible to get the process of building your defense started before the matter becomes more problematic.
When a case lands on a prosecutors desk, he or she will pursue the matter much like any other serious crime. This includes compiling the evidence against the suspect, filing and serving an indictment and beginning the process of appearing before the Juvenile Court as the matter moves towards a trial. In addition, if a defendant is convicted, he or she could face substantial time in a juvenile detention facility.
If the crime alleged is serious and/or violent in nature, the prosecutor could come armed with the very real threat that he or she will file a motion with the court to have the suspect tried as an adult, which exposes the defendant to the same penalties as everyone else. While this is sometimes a negotiating tactic, its an approach that needs to be taken very seriously.
Regardless of the venue, however, certain types of crimes lend themselves to willingness by the prosecution to negotiate a plea bargain. If thats the case, you need the help of an experienced Arizona juvenile crimes lawyer to help you decide if pursuing a deal is in your best interests.
Fighting for the rights of juveniles is generally much different in terms of approach than working with adults. The need for understanding and compassion is paramount in these situations, and the attorneys atPhillips Law Group understand this need based on many years of experience with these types of clients and cases.
Aside from approach, your defense attorney also needs to understand how the procedure in a juvenile case works and differs from adult court, how to properly find a solution that works for the clients best interests and how to avoid having the matter moved into adult court if its possible. Your attorney will do so by closely examining the case against you and working with you to formulate a strong defense.
Do not make the mistake that many make when charged with juvenile crimes in Arizona that its not that big of a deal. If you have been charged with such a crime, you need to take immediate steps to enforce and protect your legal rights. The juvenile crimes attorneys atPhillips Law Group have an office in Phoenix. The firm also offers flexible payment plans, so if you think you cant afford a criminal defense lawyer, that may not be the case. Contact the firm today to get the process of defending yourself started.
DISCLAIMER:
Phillips Law Groupand Phillips Law Group, P.C. are separate independent law firms from other firms listed on this website. Phillips Law Group, P.C. handles only contingency fee cases. This includes automobile and vehicle accidents and all personal injury cases but we also handle medical malpractice, product liability, employment, wage and hour cases, Social Security disability and worker’s compensation cases. Phillips Law Group, handles only Criminal and DUI cases, as well as consumer Bankruptcy and Debt Relief cases, and Immigration Law cases.
