Juvenile Defense Attorney in Tampa, FL

Florida’s juvenile court system is for people aged 17 and under, though they can have jurisdiction over people aged up to 21 in special circumstances. The juvenile court system functions as an institute to rehabilitate juveniles who have committed “delinquent acts”–but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have an attorney.

If a minor in your life has been accused of a delinquent act it’s important to work with an attorney to strategize for the minimum amount of penalties possible. Even if they were to receive a juvenile criminal record, their childhood mistakes could affect them long term.

What crimes can a juvenile be charged with?

If your child has been accused of committing a delinquent act, their offense may be categorized as either a delinquency offense or a status offense.

Delinquent Acts

Delinquency offenses are crimes that would lead to a criminal trial if they were committed by an adult. These include the following:

Stealing money, possessions, or property from someone else. If charged with this act, a minor would typically pay a fine and restitution.
Knowingly possessing a controlled or illegal substance. Penalties for this action include drug counseling, house arrest, or even juvenile detention.
Causing distress or fear in another person through threats, stalking, harassment, or other actions. A minor will be penalized for these crimes with counseling and house arrest.

Status Offenses

Status offenses occur in situations that only minors find themselves in.

When a student misses 15 or more days of school in a 90-day period, a minor can be convicted of truancy. A student with these charges will have to attend counseling or alternative counseling, or complete community service.
Violating Florida’s 11 PM to 5 AM curfew between Sunday and Thursday The first offense for this act is a written warning.
Minors in possession of alcohol can be charged with a misdemeanor in Florida, and they may have to pay $500 and may have jail time

Formal or Informal Charges

When a minor is caught committing a delinquent act, the arresting officer, prosecutor, or juvenile court judge may choose to pass a formal or informal judgment.

Informal Charges

Informal judgments are when an officer lets a minor go with a warning or holds them until their parents pick them up. In court, informal judgments are when the judge orders them to complete community service, counseling, or pay restitution. No charges will show up on their permanent record.

Formal Charges

Formal action occurs when the prosecutor chooses to file a petition for formal charges. In this case, the minor will be arraigned and appear before a judge. Their court appearance won’t include a jury, and the judge will be the deciding factor in their case. A hearing may result in the following:

Counseling or probation if the juvenile has pleaded guilty or is not contesting the charges
The judge may choose a diversion program for the minor to complete, such as rehab, community service, counseling, or restitution
The judge may “sustain the petition” if the minor is ultimately found guilty

The type of action chosen will depend on the act that was committed.

If you or your loved one are in need of information on Juvenile Crime, call us at 813-359-8667 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 Tampa office, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:

Juvenile Defense Attorney, Tampa, FL