Juvenile offenses are distinguished from adult offenses simply by the fact that they are under the age of eighteen. If the juvenile offenses were committed by an adult, then an adult would face adult penalties in San Diego. It would be a mistake for a parent to assume that if his son or daughter commits a crime and is under eighteen, it is not serious. This is simply not always the case and exactly how a child’s case is handled will vary depending on the nature of the crime and the age of the child.

San Diego is unique based on its geographic location, being so close to the border with Mexico. Here, San Diegans are likely to experience high volumes of drug trafficking, gang activity, as well as hate crimes and homicides. If a child commits a particularly heinous crime, or one related to a gang, then he can be tried as an adult. This means that they may be subject to the exact same penalties as an adult, including imprisonment. If your son or daughter has been arrested for a juvenile crime in the San Diego area, we strongly encourage you to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner an attorney is involved in your child’s case, the better the chances of obtaining a favorable outcome on behalf of your son or daughter.

Whenever a minor is faced with the ramifications of his actions, it is in his best interest to seek alternative sentencing by an attorney, as well as community service. As a father, he may think that his son would be better off in juvenile detention or that he better be taught a “lesson,” but that is not always the case. He wants to keep in mind that young people are very impressionable; it is not always in their best interest to “befriend” other criminals in jail.

Statistics have shown that youth who are sent to jail have a higher recidivism rate, compared to youth who receive rehabilitation treatment. Not only that, but in many cases, a permanent criminal record can destroy future college scholarships and promising careers. Having a caring, compassionate, yet aggressive attorney on your child’s side will be the greatest investment of your child’s life, thus protecting his future and her career. If your child has been arrested for a juvenile crime, we strongly recommend that you contact an attorney who has extensive experience defending minor clients in the San Diego area.