Juvenile Crimes Attorney in St. Paul

Juvenile crimes can certainly follow a child into adulthood.

St. Paul Award-Winning Juvenile Crimes Lawyer

Some people think that juvenile cases aren't that serious and won’t impact people as adults. They would be wrong. There are some cases that will absolutely follow you into adulthood. In fact, the outcomes of some cases can actually be worse than if the child were an adult. It takes time and experience to know when this might happen. Because of this, it is critically important to treat juvenile charges with the greatest care and fight them as aggressively as they would adult charges. Minnesota juvenile court is not child’s play. How Do You Beat Juvenile Court Charges in Minnesota? - 4 Steps to Success.

One of the greatest concerns involves juveniles being charged as an adult. These are absolutely not idle threats. For instance, Can a Juvenile be Charged with Sex Crimes in Minnesota?

Jack Rice Defense has handled these kinds of cases and has written extensively about the ins and outs of handling juvenile cases. Click here for more. At the same time, there may be instances when early intervention may address some of those issues and Jack can help guide a client when this is the case. Call Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer Jack Rice and we can talk about it.

Jack Rice, JD - Founder - St. Paul Award-Winning Juvenile Crimes Lawyer
5 star client review rating - Jack Rice Defense

What Our Clients are Saying

When Your Teen is Arrested, Call St. Paul, MN Lawyer Jack Rice.

“But he is just a boy. He’s not even 18. Surely the prosecutor, the Court, will understand that.” 

We’ve heard these words before, many times regarding a child facing a criminal charge. We’ve had parents sitting in front of us with their heads in the their hands as they talked about their child who got wrapped up with the wrong kids, made some wrong choices or maybe was just in the wrong place.  And then the police and prosecutors step in and they don't care and they make different conclusions about that same child.

The problem with juvenile cases is that they are never as simple as you think and worse, there are many charges that can result in adult Certifications. That’s right, that fourteen, fifteen, sixteen year old can be certified as an adult and prosecuted like one. In fact, for some charges and once children meet a certain age, it is in fact presumed that the case will be Certified,  In other words, it is assumed that they will be treated like adults and the burden actually shifts to the defense to convince the court otherwise.  So imagine, your child trying to explain their adult conviction when they are twenty one, thirty one, forty one. 

When looking at Certification, the Court first looks at the seriousness of the charge and the impact on any victims. The Court will then look at the child’s involvement and responsibility. Mitigating facts however can play an important role at this point so it is important to be aware of this. The child’s prior record of delinquency is always a consideration.  Whether the child has had any treatment and their willingness two participate can impact the Certification process.  Timing is also important.  Can the juvenile system provide sufficient punishment or programming or should the Court shift it to the adult system. Finally, whether the dispositional outcomes are sufficient.  In order words, is the outcome enough considering what happened? 

Juvenile Charges in St. Paul, Minnesota Are Serious

In the end, when facing a criminal charge, a child has their entire life ahead of them. As we all know, children simply don’t have the capacity to see their present and future with the clarity that we acquire as adults.  The problem is that once Certification sticks, a simple mistake as a child can destroy everything to come because it will simply be there forever. As a result, if your child is facing the courts, it’s critical to treat it like life is at stake. Simply put, it is. Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Jack Rice knows this. Let Jack Rice Defense help you protect your child.

Juvenile Offenses in MN that Can Follow You Into Adulthood:

Recent Blog Posts on Juvenile Crimes in St. Paul, Minnesota

FAQs About Juvenile Crimes in St. Paul, MN

  • The law defines a juvenile as anyone under 18. Generally, minors are charged in a different court than adults, so this distinction is important in the case of a criminal charge.

  • Fewer juveniles than adults are incarcerated for convictions. Juveniles may be more likely to get probation or community service, or they may be forced to attend a program aimed at reducing recidivism. However, it is possible for a juvenile to be incarcerated in a juvenile detention center.

  • The juvenile justice system is a system separate from the adult justice system in Minnesota. It handles juveniles who have committed an act that would normally be prosecuted as a crime in adult court if the offender was over 18 years old.

  • If you or your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, you should treat it in the same way you would any criminal charge: get an attorney right away. A juvenile conviction can follow a child for the rest of their life; there is much at stake during a juvenile case.

  • The sentencing for juveniles varies as widely as it does for adults. The length of time a child will spend in a detention center depends on the crime they have committed and if they have any previous convictions.

  • Delinquent conduct simply means that your child has been charged with a crime that would be prosecuted in a criminal court if the child was an adult. Instead, these crimes are prosecuted within the juvenile justice system.

  • The juvenile justice system is not required to “prove” to the parents that their child has committed a crime. Prosecutors must prove this fact in court to have the child convicted, but the parents do not have any right to question their child’s charges. However, an attorney may be able to help the parents get the case dismissed.

  • This is a federal law that requires states to follow a set of protections with regard to how they treat children in their juvenile justice system. It is meant to keep children safe and to protect their rights – some of which are different than adults’ rights due to the juvenile’s age.

  • Any fines assessed by the court must be paid by the child or their family. If these fines are not paid, the child may face more serious repercussions. Many families cannot afford to pay these expensive fines, which is why it is so important to work with a juvenile attorney who may be able to minimize these fines or have the criminal charge completely dismissed.

  • The juvenile justice system treats cases differently based on the age of the child and the type of crime they committed. Incarceration usually is not an option for sentencing except for in the most extreme cases. It is also much more likely that a juvenile offender will not have a jury trial.

  • When a juvenile is tried as an adult, it means they will be tried in an adult court in accordance with that court’s processes. The juvenile also faces adult sentencing if they are found guilty.

  • Yes, and you absolutely should. Since juvenile cases are unique, make sure to choose an attorney who is familiar with this type of case and understands the laws that pertain to juvenile defendants in Minnesota.

  • Experience with juvenile cases is the most important criteria. Your attorney should also be informative and compassionate toward both you and your child. This is a scary time for everyone, so you need to work with a lawyer who can put your mind at ease. It also helps to have a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist.