Has your child been accused of a status offense in Gainesville?
A juvenile case involving a status offense is when a crime is committed by a juvenile that could not be committed by an adult. Since minors must abide by certain rules in the State of Florida, they can be charged with actions seen as violations of the law that adults could otherwise not be charged with. Nearly 20% of all juvenile cases in the United States involve status offenses. If your child is facing a status offense, it is imperative they retain the legal representation and assistance of a highly trained Gainesville juvenile defense attorney.
Types of Status Offenses and Their Penalties
Examples of status offenses include:
- Truancy
- Running Away
- Underage Use and Possession of Tobacco / Alcohol
- Curfew Violation
- Ungovernability
Your child may be facing truancy charges if they skip school on a regular basis, as minors must attend school until they are 18 years old. If your child is beyond the control of you or their legal guardian, they may be facing ungovernability charges. Charges for status offenses also differ throughout the United States. Most status offense cases used to be handled via the juvenile justice system, but in the 1970's, many states started seeing said offenses as warning signs that the accused children needed help to avoid any future run-ins with the law.
Since then, many courts across the country try to help minors accused of juvenile status offenses instead of prosecuting them. However, if your child's case is severe, they may be facing any of the following penalties:
- Suspension of driver's license
- Fines
- Placing them in a home with someone who is not their parent or guardian
- Counseling program
- Education program
If your child violated a court order, your child can be sentenced to a detention facility.
Contact A Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorney Now
If your child is facing any type of juvenile charges, contact a Gainesville juvenile defense lawyer from Kinsell Law Firm. We have years of criminal and juvenile defense experience and can ensure your minor child receives the best possible outcome for their case.
To schedule a complimentary consultation, call our office today.