Los Angeles Juvenile Crimes Attorney

Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Los Angeles

We often don't associate criminal acts with our children, unless they are a victim of crime. But in today's society, some of our youth are committing violent crimes every single day, typically against others around their own age. A recent national study has shown that children between the ages of 12 and 18 are at the highest risk of being the victim of violent crimes. In addition, one in every twelve school age children are injured or threatened each year by a weapon.

At the Hedding Law Firm, we understand how upsetting and scary it can be to find out that your child is being investigated for or has been accused of or arrested for serious criminal behavior.

Call our office immediately if your son or daughter has been accused of any type of juvenile crime including the following:

• Carjacking
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
• Sex Crimes
• Shoplifting
• Drug Crimes
• Theft Crimes
• Hate Crimes
• Assault and battery
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Gang Crimes
• Vandalism

If your son or daughter is under the age of 18 and commits a serious crime in California he or she can be either cited and released, or held in a juvenile detention facility. If your child is taken to the juvenile detention facility then he or she must attend a hearing before a juvenile judge to determine what type of punishment will be dealt. Before the hearing the judge will talk with the juvenile probation officer along with arresting law enforcement officer to determine if your child is potentially a further risk to the public.
If your child is determined to be a risk, he or she can be incarcerated into the California Youth Authority (CYA) up until age 25. It is also very important to note that in some cases, depending upon the crime committed, your son or daughter can be charged and sentenced as an adult to jail or state prison.

In juvenile court, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the juvenile did commit the criminal act. A juvenile has the same rights as an adult as far as a right to an attorney; right to a speedy trial; right to confront witnesses; right to introduce evidence; right to not testify.

In some cases, the probation department and/or the district attorney may choose to file a petition with the juvenile court to have the case transferred to adult court due to the nature of the offense. As Juvenile crime lawyers, we do everything we can to prevent that transfer from occurring as juvenile court ruling are less severe than adult court.

Give Your Child a Fighting Chance, Hire an Attorney!

Our Los Angeles juvenile crime attorneys understand that children make mistakes. However, these mistakes do not need to define who your son or daughter is. We will help get your child back on track. We will aggressively defend his or her legal rights and look for alternatives such as rehabilitation and/or counseling instead of incarceration. We want you to rest assured in knowing that your child's future is safe in our hands. As professional defense lawyers, we have many years of knowledge and experience when it comes to defending juvenile crimes. We also understand how confusing and complex the juvenile system is. A knowledgeable lawyer at our firm can provide your child with exceptional legal defense and the best outcome possible for your case.

Hedding Law Firm, Criminal Defense for Minors in California

It is very important that you take the charges against your child seriously. Even if you do not, the state will. Call our law firm for a free consultation of your son or daughter's case in the Los Angeles area. It is very important to have this face-to-face meeting so that we may hear your child's side of the story and begin our own immediate investigation into the case. We can be contacted at: 1-818-986-2092.

The following are warning signs that a juvenile may be at risk for committing a serious crime:

• Peer pressure at school
• Loss of temper on a daily basis
• Disciplinary issues
• Frequent physical fighting and aggressive behavior
• Frequent threats towards others
• Vandalism or property damage
• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Risk-taking behavior
• Detailed plans to commit acts of violence
• Announce threats or plans for hurting others or property
• Enjoying hurting people and/or animals
• Fascination of weapons and violence
• Weapon in their possession
• Gang membership or desire to be in a gang
• Run-ins with law enforcement
• Uncontrolled anger
• Poor social life, withdrawal from friends
• Poor grades in school
• Victim of bullying
• Failure to acknowledge the rights or feelings of other people
• Exhibits feelings of rejection or loneliness
• Feelings of not belonging or being disrespected

Is your child accused of juvenile crimes? Contact a Los Angeles juvenile crimes attorney at our firm today!