Miami Juvenile Defense Lawyer

MIAMI, FL JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

PUT A COMPASSIONATE ADVOCATE AND FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER ON YOUR SIDE

Has your child been charged with a crime? Are you facing criminal consequences as a juvenile? Florida tries juvenile crimes in separate courts, but sometimes these cases may end up in adult court. Prya Murad Law, PLLC, is led by a former public defender who knows how the juvenile justice system works; we aim to provide compassionate legal support informed by years of experience as a public defender. While a standard defense attorney might be able to help you come up with a textbook defense strategy, we can help you develop a more unique legal plan based on how we understand Florida’s juvenile justice system works from the inside.

Schedule a consultation with Prya Murad Law, PLLC, for more information about how we might help you navigate your Miami juvenile defense.

COMMON JUVENILE OFFENSES IN MIAMI, FL

Young people make mistakes. Sometimes, they’re serious mistakes. Often, though, they’re harmless mistakes that carry harsh consequences. Some common juvenile crimes include:

• Larceny (stealing): Shoplifting or retail theft is one of the most commonly prosecuted juvenile crimes in Florida. Penalties for theft in Florida generally hinge on the amount stolen and the manner in which it was stolen. Juveniles tend to face lighter penalties than adults for theft-related offenses, but their records can inhibit their employment efforts in the future, and conviction carries many other long-term consequences
• Some teens engage in graffiti “tagging” and other forms of vandalism that amount to the destruction of property. Some judges may be willing to show leniency by compelling juvenile defendants to clean up their messes under police supervision and complete other community service. Repeat offenders and juvenile defendants who cause substantial property damage are likely to face harsher penalties
• Illegal purchase of cigarettes or alcohol: As of 2021, Florida residents must be at least 21 years old to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products in addition to alcohol. If a minor under the age of 18 attempts to use a fake ID or other means to complete an illegal purchase, they could be prosecuted in juvenile criminal court
• Violent crimes (assault, robbery): Juveniles can face very serious penalties for committing violent crimes, especially if they cause substantial harm to victims. In some cases, defendants can qualify for prosecution as adults, but there are only very specific circumstances in which this would apply. An experienced Miami juvenile defense attorney is essential to consult if your child has been charged with any type of violent crime
• Sexual offenses: Similar to violent crimes, sex crimes can also carry severe penalties for juvenile defendants. Some juveniles may face prosecution under “Romeo and Juliet” laws designed to protect minors who engage in consensual but illegal underage sexual conduct to avoid sex offender status. However, some juvenile sex offenses may qualify for sex offender registration far into the defendant’s adult years

Note that juvenile crimes, often misdemeanors, are generally not punished in the same way as adult offenses. The focus of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders. So, convicted juveniles may receive alternative punishments to incarceration in a juvenile detention center, such as:

• Community service, which requires the defendant to beautify their community by cleaning up trash and assisting local public works efforts in the area. Judges will typically sentence juvenile defendants to a specific number of hours, or they may arrange a specific community service schedule for a predetermined period
• Educational courses, such as driver safety courses and drug and alcohol safety courses. Some judges may require juvenile defendants to attend victim impact panels and other courses to better understand the consequences of their actions
• Rehabilitation courses, which can help poorly adjusted juveniles get the help and support they need to correct early disciplinary problems before they escalate into worse patterns in the future
• Payments of fines or other financial penalties assigned at the discretion of the judge. Court fees can add up very quickly, and the court may compel a juvenile defendant to work a part-time job to not only help them rehabilitate their behavior but also earn the means to pay off fines, civil damages to the victims of their behavior, and other court-ordered penalties
• Substance abuse: Unfortunately, some juvenile defendants suffer from substance abuse disorders acquired early in life. If a judge recognizes that a juvenile defendant only committed the offense in question due to such an issue, they are likely to show some leniency in sentencing

Nonetheless, while juveniles are tried in juvenile court, some crimes may amount to charges handled in adult court. This will depend on the nature of the crime, though, and the juvenile’s age during the course of the case.

It is vital for juvenile defendants granted rehabilitative sentences to appreciate their opportunity to change their ways. If a juvenile defendant completes their sentence and maintains good behavior in the future, it’s very likely they will qualify to have their criminal record expunged and/or sealed. If they commit another offense in the future, they can face severe penalties, and under Florida law, they may even qualify for prosecution as adults.

WHO IS TRIED UNDER JUVENILE COURT?

The age of a young person (juvenile) who comes within the jurisdiction of Florida’s juvenile courts is defined by state law. The youngest age at which a youth can be adjudicated delinquent is not specified by any statute, but the juvenile court has jurisdiction over offenses allegedly committed prior to a youth’s 18th birthday; after they turn 18 years old, the youth may be charged in adult court.

In most circumstances, juvenile court retains jurisdiction over youth until age 19. Additionally, the court may retain jurisdiction over a youth who is ordered to pay restitution until that restitution order has been satisfied. In special situations, depending on the offense and the reason for commitment, the juvenile court may retain jurisdiction over the youth until they turn 21 years old. If any substantial changes occur in the juvenile’s life, their parent or guardian is typically required to notify the court. It is also possible for a parent or guardian to request reasonable changes to a juvenile criminal court order in light of unexpected circumstances, such as medical emergencies or other crises.

It can be incredibly distressing for any parent to learn their child faces criminal prosecution as an adult. Prya Murad Law, PLLC, has specific experience in juvenile criminal defense and can help a parent make clearer sense of their child’s legal situation and the defensive options available to them.

YOUTH IN ADULT COURT

As discussed above, some youth may be tried as adults. The circumstances for such an outcome will depend, but Florida generally has four ways that juveniles can be prosecuted as adults:

• Statutory Exclusion: If a youth is 16 years or older, has allegedly committed certain offenses, and has been previously adjudicated delinquent for a felony, the state attorney is required to file the charges in adult court
• Prosecutorial Discretion: If a youth 14 years or older has allegedly committed a statutorily delineated offense, the state attorney may file charges directly in adult court. This means the juvenile defendant has committed an offense beyond the scope of common law and defined by statute, such as a serious act of violence or a sex crime resulting in bodily harm to a victim
• Discretionary Judicial Transfer: The prosecutor may request the court to transfer any child 14 years or older to adult court, and the court must grant the transfer if it satisfies the offense and history criteria
• Once an Adult, Always an Adult: A youth who is transferred or directly filed to adult court and found guilty of the offense or lesser included offense is thereafter to be tried as an adult, unless given a juvenile sanction

The juvenile justice system can be confusing to navigate, especially when there are a variety of alternatives available depending on the situation. If your child has been charged with a crime as a juvenile, reach out to Prya Murad Law, PLLC, for legal guidance. We can help you navigate juvenile court and, in more serious cases, adult court for youths.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR MIAMI JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset when you or a loved one is faced with criminal prosecution for any offense. Even a seemingly minor charge can have dramatic repercussions on various aspects of your life, and this is especially true for a juvenile facing criminal charges. The outcome of their case could influence the rest of their life, from limiting education and employment opportunities to establishing a criminal record that will restrict various opportunities for years to come.

When you choose Prya Murad Law, PLLC, to represent your defense, you can expect our team to provide ongoing compassionate counsel through every stage of your proceedings. If you are a parent of a juvenile defendant facing any kind of criminal charges, the extreme emotional distress of the situation can be incredibly difficult to manage. The right attorney can provide invaluable support and guidance through all the proceedings you face, helping you make the most informed decisions you possibly can, given the stressful nature of this challenging situation.

In most cases, the best option for juvenile defendants is to argue for rehabilitation in lieu of punishment. However, this is very difficult for defendants with records of multiple offenses behind them. Florida imposes relatively strict penalties for many criminal offenses, so when a juvenile defendant faces prosecution as an adult, this can be especially difficult for their family.

Whatever your case may entail, you can expect full access to the entire scope of our team’s resources and experience. We’ll help you understand the charges in play, the best defensive options available, and the most likely outcomes of your case. Ultimately, no attorney can ever promise their client a certain outcome, but Prya Murad Law, PLLC, can ensure devoted professional attention from an experienced Miami juvenile defense attorney through every stage of your case.

The sooner you speak with an experienced Miami juvenile defense attorney, the more time they have to learn the details of your case and get to work defending you or your child. Juvenile law requires the attention of a defense attorney with solid professional experience handling defense in juvenile criminal court. The team at Prya Murad Law, PLLC, is ready to provide the comprehensive representation you need to approach your juvenile criminal case with peace of mind. Schedule an initial consultation with Prya Murad Law, PLLC, online to discuss your legal options in more detail.