As an adult, the criminal justice system can be intimidating and complex, leaving you uncertain about your future. As a juvenile, it can feel exponentially more frightening.
The Florida Juvenile Justice System typically handles cases of individuals under the age of 18 who have been charged with a crime. However, there are some instances, such as being a repeat offender or committing a very serious crime, when a juvenile may be tried as an adult.
Hiring a juvenile lawyer is your best chance at keeping your child’s future bright. The challenge is determining the best juvenile lawyer to handle your child’s case.
How to Choose the Right Juvenile Lawyer
With so much at stake, finding an experienced juvenile attorney can feel daunting and overwhelming. The following are a few factors to keep in mind when searching for the best juvenile lawyer for your child’s case.
Experience
Like any profession, the more experience you have, the more skilled you likely become. The amount of juvenile law experience your child’s perspective lawyer has accrued is of the utmost importance.
Knowledge
Experience also brings decades of knowledge and opportunities to learn from previous cases. Having a strong foundation of knowledge, from juvenile law to judges’ temperaments to state attorneys’ tactics, will lend itself as a valuable resource in your child’s case.
Reputation
Reputations are built over time and can impact the outcome of a case. Hiring a lawyer who has a reputation for getting the best possible outcomes for their clients should also impact who you hire for your child’s case.
Understanding the Florida Juvenile System Process
Fortunately, the juvenile system focuses on getting minors back on the right track by first attempting to rehabilitate those accused of a crime rather than punishing them.
But that is not how all cases may work out. There are several stages of a juvenile case, including:
- Arrest
- Release or Detention
- Detention Hearing
- Intake
- Arraignment
- Discovery
- Pre-trial Diversion Programs
- Plea Negotiations
- Trial
- Verdict
- Pre-Disposition Reports
- Dispositional Hearings
At any point in this process, complications or challenges may arise. However, an experienced juvenile attorney will be able to guide you through each stage of the process.
Hire the Right Juvenile Lawyer for Your Child
Hiring the right juvenile lawyer can help your child get the best possible outcome for their case, such as reduced charges or a lighter sentence.
If you or a loved one is in need of an experienced and reputable juvenile lawyer, we can help. Contact the attorneys at Apfelbaum Law to learn how we can help assist with your child’s case.
