A conviction for a juvenile crime (called an “adjudication”) is extraordinarily costly both in terms of money, and in what it can mean for your child. Bruno & Hogle, LLP, is committed to protecting juveniles charged with crimes.


SOME ADVICE FOR PARENTS:

JUVENILE RIGHTS:

Juveniles have many of the same rights as adults. As juveniles, your
rights include:

The right to remain silent, and not to answer questions posed
by the police.
The right to have an attorney present during questioning.
The right to have a parent present, but only if you ask.
The right to privacy in your room and closed containers, like an
art box in the garage, or your makeup kit/purse in your
bathroom or bedroom.
The police cannot enter your room or search your closed
containers – even if your parents say it’s OK.

Keep in mind that rights are to be firmly, but politely exercised.
Knowing your rights is not an excuse to be discourteous to any law
enforcement officer. A little respect goes a long way.

If you have been charged with a crime as a juvenile, you have the
same right to fight the charges as does any adult.


POLICE AND PROBATION MANIPULATION :

The police and probation officer are interacting with your child in
furtherance of a prosecution.

They are gathering information that will be used in a criminal
proceeding against your child. Make no mistake about this. They are
under no obligation to tell you the truth, and most have no problem
lying to a parent in order to gather evidence against a child.

Commonly, during the course of an investigation, parents will ask
the police what is going to happen to their child. The police will
respond that the child will “probably get some community service”.
Sounds good, right? Wrong. The juvenile courts are punitive, not
rehabilitative, as they once were. Children are being incarcerated at
record rates and for record amounts of time. Do not be manipulated
into thinking that it won’t happen to your child.

YOU WILL PAY THE COUNTY BILLS :

Your child is charged with a crime. Maybe he/she is even arrested. You
are unsure of whether to spend the money on an attorney. After all,
maybe you “know” your child is guilty and this would be a good lesson
learned.

First of all, he will have a lawyer. The court will not let him proceed
without one. That lawyer will be the Public Defender. The county will
then bill you for the “free” services of the Public Defender.

Second, you will be billed room and board for every day he/she spends
incarcerated. If the county renders any services to the child while
incarcerated, you will pay for that as well.

Third, you will pay a fee for every court appearance. If the matter is
continued by the busy court-appointed attorney handling the case,
you will incur more bills for each court appearance.

Fourth, you will pay for probation. Supervision, drug testing,
counseling, etc., cost money, and the county will bill you for this as
well.

Not hiring a lawyer to vigorously defend your child’s rights just became
the most expensive event of the year for you and your family. As you
can see, the decision not to hire a prepared attorney is penny-wise
and pound-foolish.

Bruno & Hogle, LLP, should be retained immediately if you suspect
your child is under investigation for a crime. Do not discuss anything
with law enforcement or probation unless you have spoken to us first.