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Fighting Serious Felony Charges Against Juveniles in Queens
Fighting Serious Felony Charges Against Juveniles in Queens
Being charged with a serious felony as a juvenile in Queens can have life-altering consequences. However, with an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, there are options to fight the charges and protect your future. This article provides an overview of juvenile felony charges in Queens, potential penalties, and legal defenses to fight the accusations.
Juvenile Justice System in New York
New York has a separate juvenile justice system for minors under the age of 18 who are accused of crimes. The goals are rehabilitation and support rather than strictly punishment. There are several categories under New York law:
- Juvenile Delinquents: Children aged 7-15 who commit acts that would be crimes if committed by adults. Their cases are heard in Family Court with the focus on supervision and treatment rather than detention.
- Juvenile Offenders: Children aged 13-15 who are charged with serious violent felonies can be tried as adults in criminal court. However, they receive the designation of “juvenile offender” rather than a criminal conviction.
- Youthful Offenders: Teens aged 16-18 charged with misdemeanors or felonies. Their cases start in adult criminal court but may be moved to Family Court and sealed under a “youthful offender” adjudication.
Serious Felony Charges Against Juveniles
Children as young as 13 can face serious felony charges in adult criminal court in New York. These include violent offenses like murder, rape, robbery, and assault. The full list of qualifying offenses is defined in the New York Penal Code.If convicted of these serious felonies, a 13-15 year old faces much harsher penalties than in Family Court. Sentences can include prison time, even life in prison in the case of the most violent crimes like murder.However, rehabilitation and community-based programs remain the priority for most juvenile cases. Judges have discretion in sentencing, especially for first-time offenders.
Fighting Felony Charges in Queens Family Court
The first step when facing serious felony charges is to retain an experienced Queens juvenile defense attorney. They will thoroughly investigate the allegations and build a strong legal defense to fight the charges.Common legal defenses in juvenile felony cases include:
- Lack of intent: For crimes requiring intent, arguing the child did not intend to commit the offense.
- Self-defense: Arguing the actions were legally justified self-defense.
- Misidentification: Challenging identification evidence placing your child at the scene.
- Unlawful police conduct: Seeking to suppress evidence obtained illegally without probable cause or a warrant.
- Mental competency: Raising issues of mental competency to understand charges and assist in defense.
In many cases, an experienced attorney can negotiate with the prosecution to reduce charges and divert the case to Family Court. Once in Family Court, the focus shifts from punishment to rehabilitation through supervision programs.
Alternative Resolutions in Family Court
Family Court judges have wide discretion in juvenile cases to order solutions that support rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Possible alternative resolutions include:
- Probation: Supervised release into the community
- Community service: Performing volunteer service hours
- Counseling: Seeking therapy and treatment programs
- Mentorship programs: Pairing with mentors and positive role models
- Educational support: Accessing tutoring and support services
- Vocational training: Developing career skills
These programs aim to address root causes of delinquency and set juveniles on a better path to become productive members of society.
Protecting Your Child’s Future
An aggressive defense is crucial when a child faces serious felony charges like robbery, assault, or worse in Queens. Their entire future – college, jobs, and more – is at stake.With potential penalties as extreme as life sentences, the urgency for expert legal help cannot be overstated. An experienced juvenile defense lawyer will fiercely protect your child’s rights and future. They understand all facets of these complex cases, from police conduct and suppression motions to sentencing alternatives focused on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.Do not leave your child’s fate to chance. The moment you learn your child has been arrested on felony charges, contact a dedicated Queens juvenile defense attorney. They will provide the counsel and representation needed to fight the charges and secure the best possible outcome. Mistakes made today should not destroy a young person’s future hopes and dreams. With an aggressive defense and alternative resolutions focused on rehabilitation, a brighter future remains possible.
Resources
For more information on fighting serious felony charges against juveniles in Queens, check out the following additional resources:
Articles
- Juvenile Crimes, Delinquency and Youthful Offender Proceedings
- 8 of the Most Common Juvenile Offenses
- Juvenile Offenses
Videos
Organizations
- New York State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group
- New York Center for Juvenile Justice
- Coalition for Juvenile Justice
The article covers key information on serious felony charges against juveniles in Queens, potential consequences, and legal strategies to fight the accusations. Be sure to consult the additional resources to learn more and contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney if your child is facing charges. Mistakes made today should not destroy a young person’s future – fight to protect their rights and opportunities for rehabilitation.