What to Do If Your Teenager Gets Charged with a Crime

As a parent, you do your best to keep your children safe, so one of your worst nightmares is your teenager getting charged with a crime. 

If your fear comes to fruition, emotions can run high, ranging from disbelief to anxiety. But by approaching it with a level head and taking actionable steps, you and your child can get through a distressing situation together.

Talk to Your Teenager

The first step is to talk to your child and understand the situation. 

Open Communication: Explain to them the importance of open and honest communication. This will make your your child more comfortable being fully transparent with you. Encourage your teenager to share details without judgment, ensuring they know you ask not to criticize but to support them.

Active Listening: Practice active listening by giving your teenager space to express themselves without interruption. Show empathy and don’t assign blame.

Gathering Information: Guide your teenager through recalling details of the incident without influencing their answers or filling in gaps with assumptions. Encourage them to be honest and accurate. Gathering accurate information about what happened will help guide your decisions. 

Seek Emotional Support

During a stressful time, managing emotions is critical. Family counseling offers an opportunity to work through issues together as a family unit.

Explore the Different Types of Support: Explore various avenues for emotional support, including individual therapy, family counseling, and support groups for parents and teens facing similar situations. Highlight the benefits of therapy in managing stress, anxiety, and guilt, both for your teenager and yourself.

Building Resilience: Discuss how navigating this challenge can help your family develop stronger coping mechanisms and resilience by facing adversity.

Seek Legal Representation

Selecting the right defense attorney will aid you in the legal process. Find a lawyer based on their track record, experience, and reviews. Make sure they specialize in juvenile crimes, such as San Diego juvenile defense attorney George Ramos.

Ask Questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask potential attorneys, focusing on their experience with juvenile cases, their success rate, and their communication style.

Reviews and Recommendations: Seek recommendations from other parents, legal professionals, or community resources. Check online reviews and verify credentials.

Financial Considerations: Discuss attorney fees upfront and explore options like payment plans or legal aid if necessary.

Cooperate with Authorities

During this time, you will likely have contact with law enforcement. Your lawyer might also communicate on your behalf. It’s important to strike a balance between protecting your teen’s rights and cooperating with the authorities.

Know Your Rights: Educate yourself and your teenager on your rights when interacting with law enforcement. Understand the limits of police questioning and when you can request an attorney.

Honesty and Transparency: While cooperating with the authorities, emphasize the importance of remaining truthful and not providing any incriminating information without legal counsel present.

Maintaining Communication: Keep your lawyer informed of all interactions with law enforcement and follow their guidance regarding communication and cooperation.

Explore Rehabilitation Options

Depending on their crime, there may be different legal recourse for the offense.

Diversion Programs: Discuss available diversion programs that may allow your teenager to avoid formal prosecution and focus on rehabilitation through counseling, community service, or educational initiatives.

Restorative Justice: Explore restorative justice programs that aim to repair the harm caused by the offense and promote accountability while facilitating healing for all involved parties.

Long-Term Support: Emphasize the importance of long-term support for your teenager beyond the legal process. This may include ongoing therapy, educational support, or community-based resources.

By following the above tips, you can best help your teenager, protecting their rights, well-being, and future opportunities.