When an adolescent under the age of 18 is accused of a criminal offense, he or she is typically tried as a juvenile. This means his or her case is handled by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). However, there are cases in which minors are tried as adults. Sometimes, this is because the charge is one of the offenses that require the defendant to be tried as an adult: first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated battery with a firearm. In other cases, this is because the court has determined that it is appropriate to charge him or her as an adult.

As the parent of a minor facing a criminal charge, you must be proactive about developing an effective legal defense strategy with the help of an experienced juvenile criminal defense lawyer. Do not put it on your child to find their own lawyer or navigate the criminal defense system on their own – you might not agree with your child’s actions, but failing to help them now will have a long-lasting, negative impact on their life. Protect your child by being their top advocate.

The Differences Between the Juvenile and Adult Justice Systems

The juvenile justice system’s primary focus is rehabilitating young offenders. Because of this, juvenile courts have much more leeway than adult courts to determine appropriate dispositions for minors adjudicated delinquent. Dispositions can include incarceration, substance addiction treatment, psychological counseling, placement with another legal guardian, and anger management courses.

When you are charged with a criminal offense, your best course of action is to work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight the charge. In some cases, however, going to jail is inevitable. This could be because the court has found you guilty of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt or because you accepted a plea bargain, which permits you to plead guilty to a lesser offense than your original charge.

Going to jail is not the end of your life. It is not pleasant; it is something to get through. And getting through your incarceration is much easier if you go into jail with knowledge about what to expect and be prepared for what your time in prison will entail.

Get Your Finances in Order

When you are incarcerated, you cannot manage your own finances. If you are married, make sure your spouse can access all of your accounts while you are unavailable to do so. Otherwise, have your attorney take over your financial affairs for you. The person in charge of your finances while you are in jail is the one who can disburse money to your account at the prison commissary.

Domestic violence is a tricky topic. It is defined as an act of violence committed against an individual with whom the perpetrator has or had an intimate relationship or shared a home. Spouses, former spouses, dating partners, and any individual with whom the alleged perpetrator has a child are all individuals who can potentially be considered domestic violence victims, rather than battery victims.

Relationships are complicated, and when violence enters the picture, self defense can look like an act of aggression. The trauma of being a domestic violence victim can push an individual to fight back or even seek revenge against the abusive partner.

What is Battered Wife Syndrome?

Many people are misinformed about how bail works. It is not uncommon to hear phrases like “bail you out” or for people to think that bail is simply a means to pay one’s way out of jail. This is not the case at all. Bail is basically a surety that an individual pays in order to get out of custody shortly after being arrested. By paying bail, the individual promises that he or she will be at his or her scheduled court date, which is typically his or her arraignment hearing.

Your criminal defense lawyer can help you understand bail better and help you procure the bail bond you need to get out of jail. Face it — jail is uncomfortable. By posting bail, you can enjoy liberty and the comfort of living in your own home as you prepare for your hearing.

Posting Bail

You have probably been advised to start working with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after you are arrested. This is solid advice. Your lawyer will do more than argue in court on your behalf; he or she will make it a priority to do everything possible to help your case reach a favorable resolution for you. Here is what your lawyer will do for you:

Protect Your Rights

Many of us are not fully aware of our constitutional rights and their scope. Your lawyer can bring you up to speed on exactly what you can and cannot do during interactions with law enforcement and the court. If your rights are infringed upon, your lawyer will work to rectify the issue.