So you’ve received word that your teenager has been involved in a serious legal incident. Naturally, as a parent, you’re probably feeling more than a little overwhelmed about the thought of the child you’ve raised getting in trouble with the law.
Suppose you and your family haven’t had any confrontation with the police in such a manner beforehand. In that case, navigating the consequences of your teenager’s actions may seem confusing, emotionally charged, and complicated. However, it’s essential to recognize that you play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the case and the future of your child.
Your next steps matter, and it’s important to be a guiding light to your child and a cooperative individual to the legal system to ensure that you’re fulfilling your role fairly as both a parent and a law-abiding citizen. In this article, we’ll teach you how you can balance both these functions in the event that your child finds themselves in this unfortunate predicament.
Here’s what you need to know when your teen gets in trouble with the law.
- Get Your Emotions in Check
Upon hearing the news of your child’s incident, you’ll likely be experiencing a flurry of emotions.
Shock, anger, fear, and shame may flood your mind and keep you from making rational decisions at the start. You may even want to lash out in a fury of uncontrolled emotions, whether at the messenger for sending the news or at your teen for getting themselves into that situation.
But before you brazenly react to the news, take a moment to breathe and process the scene unfolding before you. It’s important to recognize that teenagers are impulsive and can get involved in the silliest of things. It’s also important to recognize that you’re a grown adult who can keep a handle on your emotions.
Remaining calm and level-headed is key to ensure that you are cognitively aware and capable under this stressful situation.
If you need a bit of guidance yourself, consider talking to your partner or a counsellor to help you mitigate the impact of this dreadful news. These trusted individuals can be your support system during this time.
A trusted legal team, like Astor Legal drug lawyers, is also incredibly important to ensure that you or your child doesn’t get taken advantage of by the legal system. They’ll also help you and your teen avoid getting manipulated into saying incriminating things.
By staying composed in front of the right channels—that is, your child who looks up to you as a parent, the police officers, and representatives in the legal system—you can put your best foot forward when the time comes for you to communicate and interact with these parties.
- Clarify the Details of the Case
Before making assumptions about your child’s case, it’s important to understand the full scope of their alleged involvement in the incident.
Getting all the facts straightened out can help you and your lawyer understand the situation fully, enabling you to position your defense in a way that increases your chance of getting your teen the best outcome, whether it’s inside or outside the courtroom.
The nature of the allegation determines the type of legal process your child will undergo. If it’s something minor like shoplifting, trespassing, or underage drinking, the matter may be resolved quickly with little consequence, like a community conference or a diversion program.
However, if your child has a more serious offense like theft, drug possession, or assault, they may be formally charged and would need to undergo court proceedings. In such cases, a competent legal counsel is crucial to ensuring the court ruling works out in your family’s favour.
But in order for your legal team to do their job well, it’s essential to get copies of everything. Don’t rely on your teen’s word—get police reports, witness statements, and CCTV documentation that can swing the ruling in your favour. Be comprehensive, as even just a single piece of evidence can help massively in the long run.
- Know Your Legal Rights
Getting involved in a serious legal matter is one thing; navigating the legal system and communicating with authorities is a whole different story. It’s important to know your and your kid’s rights to ensure that your personal rights are protected.
Fair treatment is the bare minimum every person should receive when dealing with the legal system. If that’s guaranteed, then you can focus your energy on understanding the process, advocating for your child’s best interests, and making informed decisions that support their future.
Here are the legal rights in the United States that you should be aware of to protect your child’s rights:
- Right to remain silent and not answer police questions, known as the Miranda rights
- Right to have a parent or guardian notified if they are taken into custody
- Right to legal counsel, including a public defender, before and during police questioning
- Right to be treated under juvenile justice laws if they are under 18
- Right to be informed of the reason for arrest or detention
- Right to a detention hearing and the possibility of release while awaiting court proceedings
Furthermore, as a parent, you have certain rights too in the event that your teen is involved in a criminal case. Here are the ones you should be aware of:
- Right to be promptly notified if your child is taken into police custody
- Right to secure legal counsel on your child’s behalf, including requesting a public defender
- Right to participate in all court proceedings involving your child, including hearings and sentencing
Knowing these rights helps ensure that your teen is treated fairly in the court of law. It also equips you with the knowledge to navigate the legal process with greater confidence.
- Hire and Vet a Youth Lawyer
An essential step that every parent must take is to ensure that their teen has access to a lawyer who specialises in juvenile cases.
The juvenile system in the United States, much like the rest of the world, has its own set of rules and outcomes. Therefore, it’s essential to get in touch with a lawyer who knows this system inside and out.
If you’re unsure where to look, consider finding juvenile defense attorneys through youth advocacy centres, family law firms, or nonprofit legal organisations that can represent minorities.
Be sure to ask the right questions to know whether they’re a good fit for the specific case. These questions can include whether they’ve worked in similar cases in the past, what their approach to the case would be, and if they’re familiar with the local laws overseeing the case.
Each lawyer will have their own law fee, and if you’re short on cash, you may be eligible for free or low-cost legal assistance through your state. These programs can offer a free or public defender program for eligible applicants.
By getting the right lawyer, you’ll not only have a competent legal professional representing your child in the courtroom, but you’ll also have a trusted ally who can guide your family through the legal system with empathy, honesty, and practical support.
- Follow Through With Court-Ordered Requirements
As harrowing as it is to witness your child face potential incrimination, there’s a shining light to the whole ordeal: the legal system will not completely leave you in the dark about what to do after each requirement is fulfilled.
It’s a fairly established process, and there’s often ample time for you, your child, and your lawyer to adequately prepare for the next steps, whether it’s a courtroom appearance, completing mandatory community service, or accomplishing a fine payment.
It’s essential for you to follow through with these obligations to ensure that you and your family are legally compliant. Failure to do so can lead to you facing harsher penalties, a mark in your/your child’s criminal record, or more charges—something you definitely don’t want to face.
In case everything is still new to you, you can ask your lawyer to explain the details of the case. They’ll keep a record of all the things you need to do as a parent, as well as remind you (and your child) of any appearances you have to make at a later date.
One of the best things you can do as a parent is to give your child the support and stability they need to navigate the legal process without adding unnecessary pressure. By informing yourself about the process, your family will be able to live past this difficult moment and recover from it.
We hope these tips will help you navigate the legal process more smoothly.
Also read:
How to Help My Treatment Resistant Teen
How to Help My Teen Handle Anger and Rage
Image credit: Freepik, DC Studio
