Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Orlando FL | Smith & Eulo Law Firm

Part of being a parent is helping your kids see around corners in life to help them grow and learn. However, kids are bound to make mistakes that may be punishable by law. Although they are just kids, they aren't exempt from the law and the punishment can have an impact on a kid's future. If your child has committed a juvenile crime, hiring an experienced Juvenile Criminal Lawyer in Orlando is extremely important.

Often for juvenile crimes, there are less severe laws than a crime committed as an adult. Children typically don't have the awareness or maturity as an adult and it is recognized by the court. However, the court will pursue its punishment on the nature of the crime and the defendant's track record.

The process of filing and pursuing juvenile crime charges is different from the process of charging an adult. By understanding this, the first step in defending your child from the severity of the punishments can be made.

What is a Juvenile Crime?

In its simplest terms, a juvenile crime is a crime committed by someone who is under the age of 18. Any person falling into this category will have the Department of Juvenile Justice held responsible for further actions.

Just because you are under the age of 18 this does not always mean you will be in the hands of juvenile justice. This is because in the state of Florida, any child as young as 14 can be tried as an adult depending on the severity of the crime.

In most cases, the severity needed to be held as an adult often lies in such violent crimes as murder and rape. It is possible for juveniles to be tried as adults for other crimes, but this is much rarer.

Special Considerations for Juvenile Crime Charges in Florida

In the state of Florida, prosecutors do not need to ask for permission from the judge to file charges against a minor in adult court. This action can be done so directly. The possibility for cases to go between Juvenile and Adult courts is viable.

For example, an offender can be detained as a juvenile, tried as an adult, but then returned to juvenile court for sentencing. The consequences for this can be more severe, particularly when it comes to the offender’s record. If found guilty in regular court (Adult Court) the verdict will permanently stay on your record whereas in Juvenile court the verdict eventually gets wiped away.

The most common crimes that get seen in juvenile court are crimes such as assault, theft, trespassing, vandalism, etc. But children are applicable to the same laws that are held for adults whereas the only difference between the two are how charges are pursued and how the punishments are handled.

The Challenges of Youthful Offenders

Navigating the juvenile justice system can be complex and daunting, particularly for youthful offenders and their families. Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal acts committed by minors under 18, ranging from minor offenses like truancy to more severe crimes. Delinquency is influenced by various factors such as family dynamics, peer pressure, socioeconomic status, and mental health issues. Addressing these root causes is vital for effective intervention.

Florida's juvenile justice system prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to redirect young offenders toward positive futures. The state operates a separate juvenile court system, with judges considering factors like age and criminal history. Diversion programs, such as community service and counseling, offer alternatives to formal court processes, reducing recidivism by addressing the underlying causes of delinquency.

The Youthful Offender Act provides reduced sentencing and rehabilitation options for young offenders involved in serious crimes. However, challenges such as overcrowded detention centers and limited access to mental health resources hinder effective rehabilitation. The long-term consequences of juvenile justice involvement, including disrupted education, employment challenges, and social stigma, can affect future opportunities for reformed youths.

Successful rehabilitation requires a comprehensive approach that integrates education, mental health support, family involvement, and community programs. By fostering a supportive environment, we can help youthful offenders overcome their challenges and reintegrate into society, ultimately reducing juvenile delinquency and promoting safer communities. Collaboration among families, legal professionals, and community organizations is essential for transforming the juvenile justice system and supporting the growth of young individuals.

Common Types of Juvenile Crimes

Juvenile Drug Charges

The juvenile justice system treats young offenders differently than adults, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment. It’s built on the belief that youth can change and that early intervention can prevent future crimes. The system includes five main stages: intake, detention, adjudication, disposition, and aftercare, all designed to support positive development and reduce recidivism.

Youth substance abuse is a major issue, driven by peer pressure, mental health challenges, and family dynamics. Commonly abused substances include alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, and other illicit drugs. These can lead to serious health problems, academic failure, legal troubles, and social issues.

Juvenile drug charges often involve possession, distribution, or drug paraphernalia, and legal outcomes typically focus on support and rehabilitation. Options include probation, diversion programs, and access to counseling or treatment facilities.

Prevention is key and requires a combined effort from families, schools, and communities. Parental involvement, school-based drug education, extracurricular activities, and community support programs all play vital roles. Professional counseling and treatment centers offer critical help for at-risk youth.

By understanding the system and working together, we can help young people avoid substance abuse and legal trouble, guiding them toward healthier, more productive lives.

Juvenile Theft

Juvenile theft, a common form of delinquency, involves minors unlawfully taking property and can range from shoplifting to burglary. It not only affects victims emotionally and financially but also undermines community trust. Often an early sign of deeper behavioral issues, juvenile theft can lead to more serious crimes if left unaddressed.

Several factors contribute to this behavior, including peer pressure, the search for social identity, family instability, and exposure to trauma. Emotional and psychological issues, such as anxiety or low self-esteem, may also drive theft as a coping mechanism. Additionally, societal challenges like poverty, economic inequality, and limited educational resources play significant roles.

The juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, emphasizing counseling, education, and restorative justice. Community-based interventions, such as mentoring, after-school programs, and family counseling, have proven effective in prevention. Schools also play a critical role by offering supportive environments and extracurricular activities to engage students.

Preventing juvenile theft requires a holistic approach that strengthens family bonds, promotes positive peer relationships, and ensures access to mental health and educational support. Through coordinated efforts among families, schools, communities, and justice systems, we can help youth make better choices and build brighter futures.

Curfew Violations

Curfew laws are implemented by local governments to protect minors and maintain public safety. These laws typically restrict the movement of individuals under 18 during specific nighttime hours and serve to prevent youth involvement in or exposure to crime, reduce disturbances, and support parental authority.

The purpose of curfew laws includes promoting teen safety, reducing juvenile crime, maintaining community order, and fostering responsibility. Curfews can also be enforced during emergencies or civil unrest.

Violating curfew laws can lead to several legal consequences, such as fines, community service, court appearances, juvenile detention, or a criminal record. Repeat offenses may even result in probation. Parents may also face penalties, including fines, mandatory parenting programs, legal action, or involvement from social services.

Social and academic repercussions include school disciplinary measures, loss of privileges, strained peer relationships, and long-term impacts on college or job prospects.

Law enforcement enforces curfews through patrols, checkpoints, community tips, surveillance, and collaboration with schools. Teens caught violating curfew may receive warnings, formal citations, or be referred to educational programs.

To avoid violations, teens should know their local laws, plan ahead, and communicate with parents. Parents should maintain open dialogue, set clear expectations, stay involved, and educate their children about the laws and their importance.

In conclusion, curfews are not merely restrictive—they are protective. Understanding and respecting them helps teens grow responsibly while supporting safer, more orderly communities.

Understanding Teen Court Information

Teen court is an innovative alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system, where teens are judged by their peers for minor offenses such as shoplifting, vandalism, and school-related misconduct. These programs prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to educate young offenders, reduce recidivism, and promote accountability. Teen court provides a formal yet supportive setting, where teen volunteers act as jurors, attorneys, and clerks under adult supervision. The process typically requires the participant to admit guilt and focuses on restorative justice, incorporating community service and educational workshops.

In Florida, teen courts—also known as youth or peer courts—are well-established, overseen by the Department of Juvenile Justice. They successfully divert minor cases from traditional courts, easing judicial workloads while fostering personal growth in young participants. Parents and guardians play a crucial role, offering emotional and logistical support throughout the process, from court attendance to fulfilling sentencing conditions.

Preparation is key to navigating teen court confidently. Teens are advised to understand the court process, dress appropriately, and practice clear communication. Beyond immediate legal resolution, teen court involvement can positively impact a youth’s future. It builds essential life skills such as public speaking and critical thinking, and often leaves no lasting legal record, preserving opportunities for education and employment.

Teen court serves both individuals and communities by promoting responsibility and positive development. With available resources such as school counselors, community centers, and legal aid, families can confidently engage in this reform-focused system. Overall, teen court stands as a meaningful tool for juvenile justice and youth empowerment.

How Are Juvenile Crime Charges Processed in Florida?

When a child is arrested for the possibility of a committed crime, the child will first be taken to the Juvenile Assessment Court (JAC). It will be there where law officials will determine the appropriate path of action.

It is here when it will be determined whether to pursue Juvenile Justice. From there, if law enforcement officials require further detention, the parents will be notified and the child will be taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Detention Hearing

Children are seen differently in the eye of the law, yet they are still guaranteed certain protections such as a trial. But because they are a child, the state of Florida can not hold a child in detention until the trial is over.

The only way the court will hold a child in detention is if the presiding judge sees the child as a threat to themself or the community if released. This decision will be made in the child's Detention Hearing which takes place within 24 hours of the arrest.

When a judge deems it fit to have a Juvenile Offender released, they will issue a “Juvenile Notice to Appear”. This can only happen if the parent or legal guardian makes a promise that they will have the child present for the court date assigned by the state.

Only on a rare occasion will the Judge not issue a “Notice to Appear” which means the Juvenile Offender will be taken back to custody.

However, in the State of Florida, a child can not be held for more than 21 days without trial (sometimes maybe 30 for extenuating circumstances).

Diversion

In the process of judicial proceedings, the judge might grant the accused a pre-trial diversion.

In most cases, these programs include community service, reparations, admissions of guilt, letters of apology, etc., all in under to help the child the severity of the consequences of their actions without subjection to court and possible incarceration.

The benefit of having a pre-trial diversion is that if completed, it will erase the arrest record of the child's record. This helps the child understand the mistake they made and saves the possibility of jeopardizing their future.

Because of this, it is best to pursue a pre-trial diversion even if the judge does not immediately grant one.

It is best to discuss this with an experienced criminal defense attorney as they can provide the possible scenarios and the most appropriate course of action.

Trial

If a pre-trial diversion is not provided or not processed, then it will go to trial.

Trial in juvenile court varies from regular court as in a juvenile court there is no jury. The decision made on whether the accused is found guilty and the sentencing lies in the hands of the judge.

Other than the previous circumstance, the trial will be similar to a regular court trial. Attorneys on both sides will be allowed to call and cross-examine witnesses, and the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did in fact commit the crime.

After all, has been done, the judge will issue a verdict deciding if the accused is guilty or not, having a sentencing to follow if found guilty.

Sentencing

When it comes to sentencing, juvenile crimes are often handled differently. In most cases, it typically comes down to two possible scenarios.

● Probation

● Incarceration at a Juvenile Detention Center

In most cases, Probation will result in punishment for a juvenile crime. When on Probation, the child is set free but has restrictions to what they can and can not do. The most important thing a child can do during Probation is to stay away from criminal activity.

When given Probation, a Juvenile Probation Officer will be assigned to the child. It is their responsibility to keep in contact with the child and make sure they are complying with the terms of their assigned probation.

If a child is sentenced to a Juvenile Detention Center, The maximum amount of time a juvenile can spend in a Juvenile Detention Center in the state of Florida is 36 months. It is rare for a child to stay 36 months as these are held for the most serious offenders. It is typical that if sentenced to a Juvenile Detention Center that a child will spend around 30 days to Six months at the Detention Center.

After the Juvenile completes their sentence and is sent home, they are likely to enter a probation period where the judge will appropriately determine its duration.

Defending Against Juvenile Crimes Charges

In many ways, defending Juvenile Crime Charges is handled the same way in both courts. The only difference would be that there is no jury and the action to obtain a pre-trial diversion.

In order to achieve the best possible outcome in a trial, it is essential that you work with an experienced juvenile criminal lawyer. This is because, with their experience, they will be able to design your defense and go over all your possible options that way you can make the best-analyzed decision about your situation.

Expunging a Juvenile Record

The job of the Juvenile Judicial System is not to ruin a child's life. Its role is to enforce a series of consequences that will correct their behavior and prevent the possibility of them committing a crime down the road.

As a result, juvenile convictions do not stay on your record forever.

Juvenile Records are automatically expunged between the ages of 24 through 26. By expunging a record, it is erased from public view. Records may only be viewed with a court order.

Once expunged, you can legally say that you have not committed a crime if questioned.

The exception to having an expungement is if you have committed a crime between the ages of 18 through 26.

It is also possible to have your Juvenile Record expunged before the age of 26 if you wish by making a petition to the court. The court will handle this on a case-by-case basis. If you have juvenile crimes on your record, get in touch with a juvenile crimes attorney today to see if you can expedite the expungement process.

Don’t Let Juvenile Crimes Derail Your Child's Future

Juvenile crimes are still a serious matter. At the end of the day, a Juvenile crime is still a crime. However, if your child is facing juvenile crime charges in Orlando/Orange County, Florida, or anywhere else in the state, you have options. Call us right away at 407-930-8912 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Orlando location, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:

Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer in Orlando, FL