Juvenile Offenses

Southern Minnesota Juvenile Defense Lawyer

If a minor child has become involved with the law in a negative way, the first thing to do is support your child and to make sure their rights are preserved, as well as their future. At Birkholz Law, LLC, we are focused on making sure your child is treated fairly and less like a criminal so that they can be rehabilitated.

Through the legal assistance of a Mankato juvenile offenses attorney, your child can receive the best possible outcome. Because Minnesota juvenile courts are focused on rehabilitating juveniles rather than punishing them, they are reducing the odds that a juvenile will move forward as an adult offender. However, there are times when the prosecution tries a juvenile as an adult because they are close to the age of 18. This means a conviction could have them serving time in an adult prison.

Juvenile Vs. Adult Court

When a juvenile case is brought into the adult criminal court system, the penalties are much harsher. When the charges cannot be dismissed, the goal is to have them reduced and to do everything possible to keep the case out of the adult system.

The following are some of the common juvenile offenses that occur:

  • Shoplifting or theft
  • Drug possession and other drug charges
  • Vandalism
  • Burglary
  • Traffic tickets
  • Assault
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Underage drinking
  • Probation violation

Juveniles have also been charged with murder and sex crimes, which is when the case can move out of juvenile court and into the adult court system. This means that a juvenile could be sentenced to life in prison with or without parole. They could spend most of their adult life in prison

Juvenile Crime Defense

There are many parents and children that do not believe their child needs a Southern Minnesota juvenile offenses lawyer to defend them. The reason is they believe that the conviction will only be on their juvenile record rather than their permanent record. The fact is that the offense does follow a juvenile into adulthood. Although the record is sealed from public view, it is available to judges and judges can use this information when determining sentencing for adult convictions. The juvenile record can reduce the changes of a case being dismissed or charges being reduced. With an experienced attorney by your side, you can get the best possible outcome in the juvenile case so that it has a lesser impact on any adult offenses later on.

Contact A Mankato Juvenile Defense Lawyer

If you are a parent of a child who has been accused of a crime, you are going through a confusing and heartbreaking time. However, it is not the end for your child. Birkholz Law, LLC has extensive experience with the juvenile court system, which is focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment so that juvenile offenders can move into adulthood as productive individuals. We will work with you and your child to have the charges dismissed, reduced, or prove that your child is not guilty. Whatever the truth behind the charges, we will use the law, the evidence, and our own strategies to achieve the best possible outcome. To schedule a free case evaluation, call the St. James office at 507-375-3374, the Mankato office at 507-387-2100, or the Westbrook office at 507-274-6501 today.