Can I be charged for false statements I made as a juvenile?

Can I be charged for false statements I made as a juvenile?

Good question! As a juvenile, the law treats you differently than an adult. There are special protections and considerations given your age and level of development. However, you still have responsibilities, especially around honesty and truthfulness.

The short answer is yes, you can sometimes face charges for false statements you make as a minor. However, it would likely be less severe than if an adult did the same thing. The specifics depend a lot on the situation, your age, what exactly you said and why, and other factors.

What laws could apply?

There are a few laws, both state and federal, that prohibit making false statements and punish those who do. Some examples are:

• Perjury – Lying under oath to mislead a court. This is a very serious felony charge.
• Filing a False Police Report – Knowingly giving false information to law enforcement. This can either be a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on the state.
• Obstruction of Justice – Intentionally interfering with an official investigation or court case, like by hiding evidence or threatening witnesses. This can be a felony.
• Fraud – Deceiving someone for financial gain or to cause harm. There are many types of fraud charges.

There are also more minor offenses like lying about your age or identity that may violate specific regulations. And lying to your parents or teachers could get you in trouble, even if not criminally charged.

What factors influence potential charges?

Prosecutors have a lot of discretion whether to actually press charges against a juvenile. They will consider:

• Your age and maturity level – The younger you are, the less likely you’ll be charged.
• Your record – First-time offenses are often given more leniency.
• Intent and context – Was it a spur of the moment lie or an elaborate scheme? Were you trying to get out of trouble or cause serious harm?
• Resulting damages – The greater the impacts, the more likely charges.
• Whether you retracted the lie – Admitting you lied early on looks better.
• Cooperation – Working with investigators instead of resisting them may help.

Prosecutors have to balance punishment with rehabilitation. They don’t want to derail a young person’s future over a stupid mistake. But they also can’t just ignore false accusations that seriously harmed someone.

What penalties could a juvenile face?

The court has more flexibility when sentencing juveniles compared to adults. The focus is usually on:

• Rehabilitation programs – Counseling, community service, required education programs, etc. These aim to correct behavior without jail time.
• Probation – More supervised release conditions like curfews, drug tests, mandatory school attendance, etc. Violating probation leads to stricter penalties.
• Restitution – Paying back money if any financial costs resulted from the lies.
• Apology letter – Writing a formal apology demonstrating recognition of harm caused.

Jail time is still possible but very rare for minor first offenses. Fines are also usually lower than for adults. Repeat or more severe offenses increase chances of stricter sentences.

In addition, having a criminal record as a juvenile can still impact things like college applications, financial aid eligibility, future job background checks, and more. There can be lasting consequences.

What about statements made as a very young minor?

Children under 7 years old typically cannot face criminal charges at all due to their young age. 7-12 year olds can technically be charged but it’s extremely rare unless offenses are repeated and severe. Under 12, the focus is usually on counseling, therapy or other interventions to change behavior.

12-15 year olds may face charges more often, but still with a strong focus on rehabilitation programs instead of harsh punishments. By 16+, courts start treating juveniles more like young adults, especially for very serious crimes, although sentences are still limited until 18.

Can parents be liable?

In some cases, yes. Many states have parental responsibility laws that can hold parents civilly or even criminally liable for actions of their minor children in certain situations. Especially if the parents were negligent somehow in enabling or allowing their child’s illegal behavior.

However, for most first-time, minor offenses, parents would at most get a warning along with their child. Repeated issues raise risk of legal action against parents as well.

What should I do if I’m accused of lying as a minor?

First, don’t panic. Consult with your parents and consider contacting a criminal defense attorney who specializes in juvenile cases. Be polite and cooperative with investigators but don’t answer questions without an attorney present. Express remorse and take responsibility, but don’t speculate beyond what you know for certain. An attorney can help negotiate lesser charges or diversion programs. Admitting when you’ve made a mistake is hard but taking accountability often leads to the most positive outcome.

We all mess up sometimes, especially when young. The law allows some leeway for youthful errors in judgment. But repeated dishonesty can become a deeper pattern that leads to more anti-social behavior. Take this as a learning experience to always strive for truthfulness and integrity, even when tempted to do otherwise. Your character is defined by the choices you make.

I hope this gives you a helpful overview! Let me know if you have any other questions.

References

Here are some references used in this article:

• What Happens If a Child Lies to the Police?
• Juveniles in Adult Criminal Court
• Juvenile Perjury Laws and Penalties