What Is a Juvenile Crime?
In Minnesota, juvenile delinquency occurs when a person under 18 commits a criminal offense.
While the penalties for juvenile crimes are generally less severe penalties for adult crimes, a juvenile conviction can have long-lasting consequences. That’s why it’s essential to have a strong St. Paul juvenile criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Are Parents Liable for Their Child’s Crimes in Minnesota?
While parents aren’t criminally liable for their child’s actions, they may be held financially responsible for restitution or damages resulting from their child’s acts, especially in property damage or injury cases.
Understanding the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedure
The Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedure govern how juvenile cases are handled in state courts. These rules dictate the process from the initial hearing to adjudication and sentencing.
They provide juveniles with specific protections that differ from adult defendants. For instance, in most cases, juvenile court records are sealed to protect the child’s privacy.
The rules encourage diversion programs, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to avoid formal charges and complete certain conditions like counseling, community service, or educational programs.
Knowing these rules is crucial for building a solid defense. Your attorney must be well-versed and experienced in every phase of the process, from the initial intake to the case’s final resolution.
Any misstep can significantly affect the outcome of your child’s case. Our team at the Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka explores every legal avenue to protect your child’s rights.
What Are Minnesota’s Juvenile Sentencing Guidelines?
Minnesota’s Juvenile sentencing guidelines differ significantly from the adult sentencing guidelines.
The focus is often on rehabilitation rather than punishment, but that doesn’t mean the penalties aren’t serious. Depending on the nature of the offense, Minnesota juvenile courts have several options, including:
- Probation,
- Restitution,
- Community service, or
- Detention in a juvenile facility—which is essentially juvenile incarceration.
When juveniles are found to have committed the crime the State charges them with, they are not found guilty, per se. Instead, they are adjudicated delinquent.
Can Juveniles Be Tried As Adults in Minnesota?
Yes, juveniles can be tried as adults under certain circumstances, particularly in cases involving violent felonies or if the juvenile is a repeat offender.
This process, known as certification, can result in far more severe penalties, including adult prison sentences. An experienced attorney can work to ensure that your child’s case remains in juvenile court.
Having an experienced attorney at this stage means that you have a professional who knows how to advocate for your child and keep the case in juvenile court. Keeping the case in juvenile court may prevent a more severe adult sentence.
What Are Juvenile Boot Camps in Minnesota?
Certain offenders can participate in juvenile boot camps in Minnesota, which offer an alternative to traditional detention while teaching discipline and life skills.
These programs aim to foster discipline in a highly structured, military-style setting. The emphasis in these camps is on accountability and self-improvement.
Juvenile boot camps are typically reserved for minors who have committed nonviolent offenses and show a willingness to engage in a rehabilitative program based on specific criteria.
The goal is to offer an alternative to incarceration by providing a setting where juveniles can develop life skills, improve their behavior, and ultimately reintegrate into society.
Some critics argue that boot camps may not address underlying behavioral or mental health issues. Others suggest that they can be effective in providing structure and discipline for certain juvenile offenders.
Working with a lawyer who understands these nuances is crucial for determining the best course of action for your child’s specific situation. At Arechigo & Stokka, we ensure that any rehabilitative options pursued are truly in your child’s best interest.
Are There Juvenile Facilities in Minnesota?
There are various juvenile facilities in Minnesota that serve different purposes, including detention centers, residential treatment centers, and group homes.
These facilities house juveniles ordered to stay in custody while awaiting trial or as part of their sentence. The type of facility your child may be sent to depends on several factors, including:
- The nature of the crime,
- Recommendations from juvenile court officers, and
- The specific needs of the minor.
Minnesota’s more well-known juvenile facilities include the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center and the Red Wing Juvenile Correctional Facility.
These facilities aim to provide a structured environment where juveniles can receive educational support, counseling, and other services.
However, the conditions in juvenile detention centers can still be challenging, and it’s essential to work with a lawyer who can argue for alternatives, such as house arrest or probation, whenever possible.
Experienced in All Types of Juvenile Crimes
Juveniles can commit the same offenses as adults.
However, there are some offenses that are more common among juveniles than others. Those include:
- Assault
- Burglary
- Underage DWI
- Theft and shoplifting
- Drug possession
- Probation violations
- Terroristic threats
- Arson
- Vandalism
It is possible for juveniles to be charged with even more serious offenses, such as sex crimes or murder or homicide. It is very possible for these offenses to be tried in adult court, which means adult penalties for the juvenile.
The court will determine if the child is of an age in which they would know better than to commit the crime. If the court determines that they can handle the adult consequences for allegedly committing an adult crime, then the case is not tried in juvenile court.
What Happens to a Juvenile Record Once the Individual Turns 18?
In most cases, juvenile records are sealed once the minor reaches adulthood.
However, certain serious offenses, particularly those where the minor was tried as an adult, may remain on their record. It’s important to discuss expungement options with a lawyer who understands Minnesota’s juvenile law.
Fighting for the Best Results
Whether the juvenile court or adult court handles the case, you will have a powerful advocate in your corner every step of the way with a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer from Arechigo & Stokka.
Everything possible is done to protect the rights and the future of your child so that they can move into adulthood without the crime following them.
When a case is tried in juvenile court, the focus is rehabilitation so that the child can live a productive life as an adult.
Although the criminal record may not follow your child into adulthood, it is still important to have a Minnesota criminal defense attorney representing your child so that the consequences can be reduced as much as possible.
This lessens the impact on your family as a whole.
Contact a St. Paul Criminal Defense Attorney Today
While a juvenile record may not follow a minor in their adult years, it is important to fight the charges and ensure the best outcome.
It is also important to try and keep the case in juvenile court.
If you are the parent of a child that has been accused of a crime, you can secure the best possible criminal defense for them.
To learn more about your child’s rights and options, call Criminal Defense Attorney & Workers Compensation Law Offices of Arechigo & Stokka at 651-222-6603 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
