Juvenile Law in Tennessee
Juveniles are defined as people under the age of majority (18). Juveniles are required to be in the custody of someone at all times, i.e. parent, school, etc. The process and procedures for juveniles differ vastly than those of the adult legal system. In the Tennessee juvenile court, the goal is rehabilitation as opposed to punishment. Juveniles may be transfered to adult criminal court for certain offenses under certain circumstances.
Juvenile Offenses
- Loitering during school hours
- Theft
- Underage drinking
- Involvement with gangs
- Criminal mischief (tire slashing or vandalism for instance)
- Drug use or sale
- Fighting
- Smoking
If your child is arrested for a juvenile crime, you want to be sure that your child does not get tagged with a criminal conviction that could follow him/her around for the rest of their lives. There are alternatives when your child is arrested for a criminal offense.
Juvenile Internet Crimes
Teenagers – and even younger children – often are not aware that even what seems like a harmless passing along of a threat or ill-spoken words about teachers or others can result in arrest. Child pornography, known as sexting, is also rampant in today’s society.
As witness many nationally broadcast cases, juveniles have been arrested for threatening to kill the teacher a social network. There also have been cyber-bullying cases in which people have lost their lives for actions that one youngster at a keyboard does not think is “that harmful.” In fact it is “that harmful” and can result in a felony arrest.
Avoid Adult Criminal Courts
In the worst of cases, juvenile offenders can be charged as adults and go through adult criminal proceedings. As recently as the late 1980s, juveniles could even be executed for capital first degree murder!
Turner Law Offices, P.C., knows that most juvenile cases are decided by a judge only and not a jury trial. Our attorneys understand the nuances of the Tennessee juvenile court system and how to advise parents on the best way to defend their children. Contact Turner Law Offices, P.C., where we have a staff of attorneys with more than twenty (20) years of experience helping defend youthful offenders who sometimes are guilty of nothing more than bad judgment.
Call us for a Free Consultation Today
(615) 259-2660