Juvenile Robbery Offenses: An Empathetic Look at a Complex Issue

Robbery is a serious crime that can have lasting consequences for both the victims and perpetrators, especially when juveniles are involved. As a society, we need to approach this issue with nuance and empathy.

Let’s start by looking at some background. Robbery involves taking property by force or threat of force. It’s considered a violent crime because it involves confrontation with a victim. Robbery charges are almost always felonies, even for juveniles. An adult convicted of robbery can face 10-30 years in prison. Juveniles usually face less severe punishments, but it depends on the case.

According to statistics, most robberies in the U.S. are committed by people under 20. It’s common for older teens ages 16-17 to commit robbery. Males account for a much higher share of juvenile robbery arrests than females – around 88% according to one report.

Juveniles who commit robbery are often struggling with personal issues. Robbery can represent a cry for help from unhappy kids looking for attention and validation from peers. Many juveniles see theft or robbery as a way to openly express their confusion, insecurity and discontent.

Of course, this doesn’t excuse the behavior. Robbery traumatizes victims and damages communities. But by understanding what drives many juveniles to commit robbery, we can address the root causes and help prevent future crimes.

How Juvenile Robbery Cases Are Handled

When a juvenile commits robbery, the case usually starts in juvenile court instead of adult court. The goal is rehabilitation rather than strictly punishment. But juvenile judges can still impose detention time in serious cases.

Here’s a quick overview of how the juvenile justice system handles robbery cases:

• After arrest, the juvenile goes to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) for a risk assessment. This helps determine if detention is required.
• A detention hearing must occur within 24 hours if the juvenile is held. A judge decides whether to release or detain the juvenile.
• An arraignment occurs around 3 weeks after arrest. The juvenile is informed of charges and can enter a plea.
• Instead of a trial by jury, a juvenile judge decides the case.
• Penalties aim to rehabilitate. But detention is possible for serious offenses. Counseling, community service and probation are common.
• For violent felonies, prosecutors can request a “transfer” to adult court. If granted, the juvenile faces adult charges.
• The possibility of transfer to adult court acts as a major motivation for juveniles to seek effective legal counsel early on. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can often negotiate to keep the case in juvenile court and pursue alternatives to detention.

Common Types of Juvenile Robbery

Robbery charges can arise from behaviors like:

• School bullying or fighting that escalates into demands for money or property
• Gang initiations and activities – sometimes under peer pressure
• Drug-related robberies to obtain money to buy drugs
• Carjackings, which are robberies of occupied vehicles
• Robberies committed with weapons, which leads to more serious charges
• Home invasions or muggings to steal cash, phones, clothes, shoes, etc.
• Store robberies, usually under threat of force against employees
• Robberies that start as thefts or burglaries and escalate due to confrontation

If a juvenile has a history of theft or burglary, any use of force during a crime can lead to robbery charges. Even petty thefts can turn into robbery charges.

For example, say a school bully grabs a classmate’s arm and demands cash. Even if the bully just takes $20, this meets the legal definition of robbery due to use of force.

Why Do Juveniles Commit Robbery?

There’s no one reason why juveniles commit robbery. Every case is unique. But some common factors include:

Peer pressure – Juveniles often commit robbery to gain approval and respect from friends. Adolescents are wired to seek validation from peers.

Poverty – Juveniles from poor areas may see robbery as their only chance to obtain items their families can’t afford like phones, clothes, and shoes.

Trauma – Abuse, neglect, violence in the home, and other trauma can lead juveniles to act out through crimes like robbery.

Mental illness – Undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions often contribute to delinquent behavior.

Gangs – Older gang members sometimes recruit juveniles and force them to commit robberies as part of initiations.

Drug/alcohol abuse – Robbery is commonly committed by juveniles to fund drug and alcohol habits. Addiction issues and peer pressure often intermix.

For thrills – Some juveniles impulsively commit robbery for excitement without fully grasping the consequences. Adolescent brains are still developing impulse control and decision-making abilities.

Family issues – Problems at home like domestic violence, divorce, lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline can influence delinquent behavior.

Of course every juvenile’s story is different. The more society understands about what leads juveniles to commit crimes like robbery, the better we can respond with empathy while still demanding accountability.

How Can We Help Juveniles Avoid Robbery?

Here are some ways society can help juveniles avoid engaging in robbery and other crimes:

• Mentoring programs – Caring adult mentors provide positive guidance and encouragement.
• After-school activities – Sports, clubs, tutoring, and other structured activities keep juveniles engaged and supervised.
• Counseling – Mental health treatment and substance abuse counseling can address underlying issues.
• Job training – Programs to help juveniles develop job skills give them hope for the future.
• Parenting classes – Teaching parents consistent discipline and emotional support techniques helps engage juveniles.
• Poverty reduction – Improving economic opportunities and resources for disadvantaged families reduces pressure on juveniles to steal.
• School engagement – Mentors, tutors, coaches and programs to keep juveniles connected to school and motivated helps significantly.
• Community centers – Safe places for juveniles to socialize and engage in positive activities with peers.
• Crime victim empathy – Programs where juveniles hear from victims help them grasp the trauma caused by crimes like robbery.

The more we understand the root causes of juvenile robbery, the better we can respond with both accountability and empathy. While robbery must be taken seriously, writing off juveniles as criminals without hope is unwise. With support and guidance, many juveniles can get back on a positive path and become productive members of society.

What Parents Can Do

As a parent, discovering your child committed robbery is devastating. But thoughtful, consistent responses can help prevent future offenses. Here are some tips:

• Remain calm. Knee-jerk angry reactions often backfire with adolescents.
• Talk with your child to understand what led to the behavior and address any underlying issues. Listen with empathy but make clear robbery is completely unacceptable.
• Ensure your child has legal representation. A juvenile defense lawyer can guide you through the process and advocate for your child.
• Discuss appropriate consequences at home like increased supervision and loss of privileges. Follow through consistently.
• Get counseling for your child if necessary to address mental health, addiction, trauma or other issues.
• Communicate regularly with your child’s probation officer or counselors to stay on top of progress.
• Help your child make amends through volunteering, apology letters to victims, restitution, etc. This builds empathy.
• Find positive activities, hobbies and part time jobs to productively occupy your child’s time.
• Attend parenting classes or counseling yourself if you feel overwhelmed. There are always ways to improve communication and discipline.
• If other children were involved, communicate with their parents to address the situation collectively.
• Remain engaged, patient and hopeful. With support, many juveniles learn from mistakes and go on to have happy, productive lives.

The Role of Defense Attorneys

As we’ve discussed, consulting an experienced juvenile defense attorney early on is critical when a juvenile is charged with robbery. The right legal advocacy makes a huge difference in these cases.

Here are some of the most important things a defense lawyer does:

• Advocates for the juvenile to be kept in the juvenile system instead of being charged as an adult
• Negotiates with prosecutors for reduced charges or diversion programs to avoid conviction
• Fights against pre-trial detention and advocates for alternatives like intensive supervision at home
• Helps the juvenile and family understand the charges and possible consequences to make informed choices
• Identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and constructs strong defense arguments
• Presents mitigating factors to the judge like mental health conditions, trauma, peer pressure, difficult home life circumstances, etc.
• Stays on top of the case and ensures the juvenile’s rights are protected throughout the legal process
• Connects the juvenile with counseling, mentoring and other rehabilitative resources
• Keeps the long view in mind – avoiding adult charges and incarceration gives juveniles the best chance to learn from mistakes and move forward positively

Having a dedicated advocate on their side makes a huge difference for juveniles facing robbery charges. Public defenders often have high caseloads that limit their effectiveness. Hiring an experienced private defense attorney is worth the investment for the juvenile’s future.