Memphis Juvenile Practice Attorney
Defending Minors Who Are Facing Criminal Charges in Shelby County
At Francavilla Law Firm, we understand the nuances of the juvenile court
system and regularly advise parents on how to effectively handle their
child’s case. Memphis juvenile practice attorney,
Tim Francavilla, has 25 years of experience helping minors defend against
criminal charges that could result in severe and long-lasting consequences.
In cases involving individuals who are aged 18 or older but are being tried
for a crime that took place while they were a minor, the juvenile court
may choose to hear or transfer that case.
Has your child been accused of a criminal offense? Call Francavilla Law
Firm today at (901) 979-9992 or
contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Memphis juvenile practice lawyer.
Juvenile Crime Cases We Handle
We handle cases involving a range of juvenile crimes, including but not
limited to:
Differences Between Juveniles and Adults Justice System
No matter how much parents try to keep their children out of serious trouble,
sometimes kids make mistakes that lead to legal consequences. When an
individual under the age of 18 has a run-in with the law, the legal process
and procedures that ensure it differs greatly from the adult criminal
system. The most significant difference revolves around the goals of the
two systems. Whereas the aim of the adult legal system is punishment,
the goal of the juvenile system is rehabilitation.
While it might be comforting to know that the juvenile process is intended
to set a child back on the right course, the consequences they could face
are still serious.
Penalties For Juvenile Crimes in Tennessee
Depending on the specific crime, your child could face a range of consequences,
including:
- Fines
- Probation
- Community service
- Juvenile counseling
- Home detention
- Time in a juvenile detention center
- Driver’s license suspension
- A criminal record
When Is a Child Tried as an Adult in Tennessee?
The first time a child faces charges for a non-violent crime, he or she
will likely go through the juvenile system. If, however, the child commits
a violent crime, he or she may be transferred to adult criminal court
and tried as an adult.
Juvenile cases are handed over to the adult courts when they involve charges of:
- Rape
- Aggravated rape
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Aggravated robbery
If the State decides that it wants to try a child as an adult, it is required
to hold a hearing on the change. A written notice must be sent to the
child's parent(s) at least 14 days before the hearing. It is always in
a minor’s best interest to be tried in the juvenile system since
a conviction in adult court can lead to higher fines and long-term jail
time in an adult prison facility.