Virginia Beach Juvenile Criminal and Traffic Defense Attorney
If your child has been charged with a juvenile criminal or traffic offense in Virginia Beach, you are right to be concerned. If convicted of a serious crime, your minor child could have to face harsh penalties, including serving time in juvenile detention. In some cases, depending on your child’s age, they could be charged as an adult, meaning they could face steep fines, jail time, and other punishments if convicted.
Given all that is at stake, it is vitally important that you secure competent legal representation to help your child fight the charges brought against them. At Pincus Goodman, P.C., our Virginia Beach juvenile defense lawyers have extensive experience helping juvenile offenders get their charges reduced and even dismissed.
Contact us today for a consultation to evaluate your child’s legal options. You can reach our office by phone at (757) 301-9634.
Types of Juvenile Criminal and Traffic Offenses
Some of the most common juvenile and traffic offenses that our attorneys handle include:
- Trespassing
- Vandalism or destruction of property
- Larceny (grand larceny and petty larceny)
- Embezzlement
- Receiving stolen goods/firearms
- Assault and battery
- Assault and battery against a family or household member (juvenile domestic violence)
- Malicious wounding and aggravated malicious wounding
- Unlawful possession of drugs
- Purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages while underage
- Selling or manufacturing drugs on school property
- Evading law enforcement
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Following at an unsafe distance
- Driving without a license
Even though the penalties for convicted juvenile offenders are typically not as harsh as they are for adult offenders, any minor convicted in juvenile court may still be sentenced to detainment in a correctional facility, among other severe consequences. Having a juvenile criminal record can also make life more challenging for your child as they grow up. While some states are making it easier for juvenile offenders to seal or expunge their records, this process can still be confusing and complex in Virginia.
That’s why it is crucial to hire an attorney to represent your child if they have been charged with a juvenile criminal or traffic offense. Our qualified and experienced Virginia Beach juvenile defense attorneys from Pincus Goodman, P.C., may be able to help your child avoid some of the harsher consequences of a juvenile conviction. If we cannot get their charges reduced or dismissed, we will negotiate with the judge and prosecution and advocate for alternative sentencing that doesn’t include juvenile detention. We will defend your child’s rights at every step of the legal process.
If you hire Pincus Goodman, P.C., to handle your child’s case, we will:
- Advocate for your child’s best interests
- Help you understand the juvenile justice system and offer you strong legal advice
- Gather evidence to support your child’s case
- Build a strong legal defense on their behalf and make an effective presentation at trial
At Pincus Goodman, P.C., we understand how frightening it can be to watch your child go through the juvenile justice system and face tough penalties for alleged offenses. When you work with our experienced legal team, you can be certain that we will fight tirelessly to help your child seek a favorable outcome in their case.
Potential Penalties for Juvenile Crimes
For misdemeanors and less serious offenses, being convicted of a juvenile crime can lead to penalties such as probation, rehabilitative treatment, fines, and community service. If your juvenile is convicted of a more severe offense, they might be sentenced to a Juvenile Correctional Center or a private facility.
It is vital to work with a skilled juvenile defense lawyer if your child has been charged with a juvenile criminal or traffic offense, especially if the offense is serious and could result in significant time in juvenile detention.
Steps in the Juvenile Legal Process
These are the primary steps in the juvenile justice process in Virginia:
- When a juvenile is reported for committing an offense, they enter the juvenile justice system.
- The juvenile intake officer charged with handling the case will then determine whether to deal with the case informally or petition to bring the issue before the court. If the intake officer goes the informal route, they may divert your child’s case away from the justice system and send them to counseling or another educational program. It is not uncommon for intake officers to deal with first-time offenses informally. However, the intake officer could decide to get the court involved. If they decide to take formal action, the intake officer will need to determine whether to detain your child or send them home. If the intake officer believes that your child is a risk to themselves or others, they may decide to detain them. They could also detain them if they believe the child is a flight risk.
- If your child is detained, they will get a hearing with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (J & DR) court within 72 hours.
- At the J & DR hearing, each side presents their case, and the judge has the final decision as to whether or not the juvenile is delinquent. If they are found not delinquent, the legal process ends. If convicted, your child will get a dispositional hearing where they will receive a sentence.
- If you and your child are unhappy with the judge’s ruling, your child will have the opportunity to appeal the decision.
It goes without saying, but a conviction for a serious offense can have a significant impact on your child’s future. Hiring a strong defense attorney can help ensure that your child’s rights are not violated and that they are treated fairly by the juvenile justice system.
Contact a Virginia Beach Juvenile Defense Lawyer Today
If your child is facing charges in juvenile court, contact the Virginia Beach juvenile defense attorneys at Pincus Goodman, P.C., today for a consultation. We will meet with your child confidentially to explain their rights, help you and your child understand how the juvenile legal system works, and offer advice on your child’s case. We will advocate for your child. We also highly recommend not speaking to the authorities unless you have a qualified defense attorney present to ensure that your child’s rights are protected.
Call us at (757) 301-9634 to schedule an appointment with our office.