Has your child been arrested for a crime in Indianapolis, IN? Do not hesitate to contact the juvenile crimes attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for immediate legal assistance.
We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to protect your child and safeguard their future. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience handling theft crimes, Indianapolis drug crimes, burglary, federal crimes, sex crimes, Indianapolis drug possession, domestic violence, and more.
We offer a free consultation, so contact our law offices at (317) 759-2599 to schedule yours today.
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How a Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Defense Lawyer Can Help with a Juvenile Crime Charge
Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense can be quite scary as an adult. For minors, this scenario can be absolutely terrifying. Unfortunately, this nightmare scenario happens to thousands of Indiana teenagers every year.
If your child is one of those who have been taken into custody, you are likely worried about how their arrest will impact their future. Will they spend time in a detention facility? Will they end up with a permanent criminal record?
Before you lose your mind with worry, however, it is important to remember that a criminal charge is not the same as a conviction. Your child will only be punished if the state can conclusively show that they are guilty of the crime that they are accused of committing.
It is in the best interests of you and your child to make that process as difficult as possible. You can do just that by hiring a team of experienced juvenile defense attorneys – like those here at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers.
We’ll fight for your child in a variety of ways. Among other things, we will:
Protecting Their Rights
From the moment that your child is taken into custody until the second that they are released, law enforcement officials must respect their rights. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Without the protection of an experienced lawyer, your child’s rights may end up being violated.
Having worked on countless juvenile cases over the years, our attorneys know how to spot potential rights violations. If we notice a member of the prosecution stepping over the line, we will raise our concerns with the proper authorities immediately.
Providing Helpful Legal Advice and Guidance
The Indiana juvenile justice system can be quite complex and confusing. As your child makes their way through the process, they are likely to run into a variety of challenging scenarios and difficult decisions. To make it through unscathed, the advice and guidance of a knowledgeable lawyer are vital.
The Indianapolis criminal lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers understand all of the intricacies of the state’s juvenile court system. When you hire us to represent your child, we will work diligently to make sure they can get through their case without running into any clerical or procedural issues.
Negotiating with the State’s Attorney
Juvenile prosecutors are often quite willing to negotiate less severe punishments in exchange for an admission of guilt. This is especially true if your child has never been in trouble with the law in the past.
Having spent years in the industry, our attorneys understand exactly how to extract the best possible deals from prosecutors. If it is at all possible to avoid having your child spend time in a detention facility or lose their driver’s license, we will work tirelessly to make it happen.
The team at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers has been helping minors in Central Indiana with their legal needs for years. If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We will be happy to review the details of the case and help you put together the strongest possible defense.
Common Juvenile Crimes in the State of Indiana
Under Indiana law, a minor may be charged with all of the same criminal offenses as an adult. In reality, however, most juvenile arrests involve one or more of the following charges:
Of course, minors do not necessarily have to break any criminal laws to be entered into the juvenile delinquency process. They may also be placed into the system for status offenses. These include:
- Violating a curfew
- Skipping school without permission
- Leaving home without permission
- Engaging in unruly behavior, and
- Loitering in public areas.
If your child is facing criminal charges, you can always turn to the skilled criminal defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for legal assistance. Just give us a call to set up a free consultation and have your child’s case reviewed by a member of our legal team.
Understanding Indiana’s Juvenile Court System
The exact path that a child takes through the juvenile court system can vary significantly from one case to the next. Generally speaking, however, most juvenile cases involve the following steps:
Detention Hearing
A detention hearing is usually the first step in the juvenile court process. This hearing will determine whether the minor will remain in custody or can go home with a parent or guardian. Under Indiana law, detention hearings must be held within 48 hours of the arrest.
At your child’s detention hearing, our defense attorneys will explain to the court why they should be remanded into your custody.
Initial Hearing
The initial hearing usually takes place fairly shortly after the detention hearing. This step in the process is used to officially inform the minor of the criminal charges that are being filed against them.
Your child’s defense attorney will be by their side throughout this initial hearing. Once the prosecution’s charges have been laid out, we will file a formal response on behalf of your child.
Fact-Finding Hearing
After the initial hearing has concluded, a fact-finding hearing will be held. It is at this point in the process that a judge will review all of the evidence in the case before deciding if the minor violated the law.
When your child’s case reaches this stage, you can expect the prosecution to provide the judge with plenty of evidence. Of course, our attorneys will, in turn, submit lots of proof to counteract it.
Dispositional Hearing
If the judge rules that the minor is guilty of the criminal offense they have been charged with, a dispositional hearing will be held. At the hearing, the judge will determine what consequences the minor will face as a result of their actions.
If your child’s case reaches the dispositional hearing, our attorneys will be on hand to argue for a lesser punishment.
Dealing with Indiana’s juvenile courts can be incredibly challenging. Fortunately, our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers are always available to help you and your child with the process. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.
Potential Consequences to Juvenile Criminal Charges
Minors who have been entered into the juvenile delinquency process because they have been charged with a crime could face a variety of consequences. Possible penalties for a conviction include:
- Probation
- Juvenile detention
- Revocation or suspension of driver’s license
- Community service
- Court-ordered mental health treatment
- Court-ordered substance abuse treatment, and/or
- Emancipation.
For a juvenile entered into the system because they’ve committed a status offense, the penalties might look a little bit different. Consequences of a status offense in Indiana can include:
- Probation
- Revocation or suspension of driver’s license
- Placement in a foster home
- Court-ordered mental health treatment
- Court-ordered substance abuse treatment, and/or
- Emancipation.
The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers have been working within the Indiana juvenile court system for years. If you would like to reduce the chances of your child suffering one of the consequences listed above, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
When Can a Minor Be Tried as an Adult in the State of Indiana?
In the state of Indiana, minors may be tried as adults under certain circumstances. The scenarios where this is possible include:
- When the minor is older than 10 years of age and has been charged with rape or murder.
- When the minor is older than 14 years of age and has been charged with a crime that would be classified as a felony if committed by an adult. The crime must also be part of a pattern of criminality, and the state must show that the offender cannot be rehabilitated by the juvenile justice system.
- When the minor is older than 16 years of age and has been charged with a crime that would be classified as a felony if committed by an adult. At this age, the crime does not need to be part of an ongoing pattern.
- When the minor has a record that includes a previous adult felony or non-traffic-related misdemeanor.
The decision on whether or not to try a minor as an adult is usually made at a waiver hearing. If it is determined that their case should be handled by the adult justice system, the potential punishments they may face will also be scaled up. In particularly serious cases, juveniles can even be sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
If you are worried that your child may be tried as an adult, please contact a Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. We may be able to work with the prosecution to ensure that their case is handled within the juvenile system.
Contact Our Indianapolis Juvenile Crimes Attorneys Today
The experienced lawyers of Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers have been defending minors in the Indianapolis area for years. If your child ever finds themselves on the wrong side of the law, you can count on us to provide them with the legal assistance they need. To enlist our services, all you need to do is give us a call or contact us online.
Nearby Courts
- US District Court – Southern Indiana – 46 E Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
- Indiana Supreme Court – 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
- Indiana Office of Court Services – 251 N Illinois St #800, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
- Indiana State Court Clerk’s Office – 402 W Washington St w062, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
Local Prisons
- Indiana Department of Correction – 302 W Washington St e334, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
- Beyond the Prison Gates – 4200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46241, United States
- Indiana Women’s Prison – 2596 N Girls School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46214, United States
- Marion County Community Corrections – 40 S Alabama St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
Local Sheriff
- County Sheriff – 695 Justice Wy, Indianapolis, IN 46203, United States
- Marion County Inheritance Tax – Indianapolis, IN 46203, United States
- Marion County Citizen Complaint – 251 E Ohio St # 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
Indianapolis Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Reviews
Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Office in Indianapolis, IN
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers
101 W Ohio St #2000
Indianapolis IN 46204
317) 759-2599
Additional Juvenile Crimes Articles & Information
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- What Are Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude?
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