Minneapolis Juvenile Defense Attorney

In Minnesota, if a person under 18 years of age engages in illegal conduct, their case will be processed through the juvenile court system. The state handles these types of matters through civil, as opposed to criminal, proceedings, with the end goal being to hold the child responsible for their actions and rehabilitate them. That being said, although a child may be penalized for their illegal behavior, the penalties will be different from those an adult may face.

Juvenile defense cases are quite different than cases involving adults. With so many factors to weave through and decisions to make, you need the best representation possible. Brockton D. Hunter P.A. is the firm to call if someone you love under the age of 18 has been accused of a crime.

Minnesota Juvenile Criminal Process

In Minnesota, the fundamentals of juvenile cases go as follows:

• The person accused of the crime is under the age of 18.
• The county where the crime was committed is where the child will be prosecuted, but any potential sentencing or disposition will take place where the child lives.
• There is no jury in juvenile cases, only a judge will determine if the child is delinquent (guilty) or not.

Being Found Guilty or Delinquent in MN

What happens if a juvenile is convicted of a crime? When a minor is processed through the juvenile court and evidence proves they engaged in the alleged conduct, they are not "found guilty." Instead, they are "found delinquent." This term applies when the minor has been accused of carrying out acts that would be considered crimes had adults committed them.

However, in some cases, children can be sent to juvenile court when they do something that isn't unlawful for an adult—for instance, skipping school, staying out past curfew, or possessing or consuming alcohol. In such situations, if the court determines that the minor engaged in the conduct, the juvenile would be categorized as a petty offender. The child could also be deemed as such if the judge determines that they committed a petty misdemeanor or a non-violent misdemeanor and they had no past criminal history.

It's important to understand the distinction between delinquents and petty offenders because the consequences the minor faces depends on the category they fall under.

Possible Dispositions for Juvenile Offenders in Minnesota

If the minor is found to be delinquent, under Minn. Stat. § 260B.198, they may be subject to several dispositions, such as:

• Counseling
• Being supervised by a probation officer
• Having their legal custody transferred to an authorized agency
• Being committed to a juvenile correctional facility
• Paying restitution to the victim
• Paying a fine of up to $1,000
• Being ordered to special treatment or care
• Having their driver's license revoked until they turn 18 years of age
• Staying enrolled in school until they turn 18 years of age or meet graduation requirements
• Receiving sex offender treatment

Under Minn. Stat. § 260B.235, minors judged petty offenders could face the following dispositions:

• A fine of up to $100
• Participation in community service
• Participation in a drug awareness program
• A chemical dependency evaluation
• Probation for up to 6 months
• Restitution to the victim
• Participate in other programs or treatments the court deems necessary

Consequences for Juveniles Tried as Adults

In certain situations, such as when a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony, minors can be charged as adults. If that happens, the child would be treated as an adult, and they could face the same penalties as those convicted of crimes.

Juvenile Felony Charges in Minnesota

If a child is found delinquent (guilty) of a felony charge, his or her future is at stake. If charged with a felony offense, a criminal record will be viewable to the public. This result could cause problems obtaining employment, housing, and financial aid for secondary education. If a young person you care about is facing criminal charges, put us to work. We’ll put you at ease while continually work to get the best result for your child and protecting their future.

Keep Your Record Clear and Future Untainted

Make certain that the juvenile defense lawyer Minneapolis, MN you employ to represent your son or daughter has the essential knowledge and means to deliver the finest criminal defense that Minnesota has to offer. Whether we dispute the case in court or pursue alternative options to prosecution, we will do everything in our power to protect your child and keep their record clear so their future is not tainted.

Our team has worked relentlessly to garner positive results for Juveniles. Our ability to do so relies heavily on deeply established relationships with many prosecuting attorneys and judges. If given the opportunity, we will continue to do the same for you.