Protecting Juveniles Charged with Crimes
Juvenile Crime Defense in St. Petersburg, Florida
The juvenile justice system is geared toward rehabilitation rather than punishment. But, your son or daughter may still face severe consequences. Our Florida juvenile law attorneys work to soften the consequences and limit the impact on your child's future.
If your child is charged with a criminal offense in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County or Manatee County, contact the Law Offices of Timothy Hessinger at (727) 896-1501. We offer a free consultation to help explain the charges and likely outcomes, including diversion programs.
Juvenile Crimes
There really aren't any "juvenile crimes," other than underage consumption of alcohol. Teenagers are charged under the same Florida statutes that adults are. We have defended juveniles on charges from petty offenses to serious violent felonies, but the most common juvenile court offenses are:
- Drug possession
- Theft, shoplifting and burglary
- Underage drinking and DUI
- Battery/assault
- Sexual offenses, including date rape
- Gang activities
Juvenile Court
The crimes are the same but the rules, the rights, and the punishments are different in the juvenile justice system. There are many diversion programs for juvenile crimes to help youths get their lives on track while still being held accountable for their actions.
We work hard to limit the impact on current schooling, college entrance and future employment. Your child needs an attorney who can intervene with prosecutors on the front end of the case, defend them against untrue accusations, and negotiate for fair and reasonable sentences that avoid a criminal record.
Is Your Child Accused of a Major Felony?
For almost all types of offenses, the prosecutor has the discretion to charge any child over age 16 as an adult. We fight to keep your son or daughter in juvenile court if at all possible.
If your child is charged as an adult, Tim Hessinger and Donald Kilfin have more than a combined 30 years of criminal law experience, which they will use to obtain the best possible results. They will explore all avenues of defense, including a Youthful Offender departure sentence and moving sentencing back to juvenile court.
Find Out Where Your Child Stands
Contact our Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater juvenile defense lawyers today for a free initial consultation to discuss the criminal charges and what they might mean for your child. You can e-mail us or call us 24 hours a day at (727) 896-1501.
