Juvenile Criminal Defense
If you are a juvenile or the parent of a juvenile who has been charged with a criminal offense in Ohio, it is common to be worried about what penalties your child will end up facing. Over the years, we have helped many juveniles avoid serious punishment and keep their records clear of convictions that threaten to disrupt their futures. The juvenile criminal defense lawyers of Kruger & Hodges can help protect your rights and your future.
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Common Juvenile Charges We Defend Against
Some of the most common charges that our juvenile criminal defense lawyers defend include the following:
- Drug crimes including marijuana possession
- Assault and violence-related crimes
- Underage drinking and possession of alcohol
- Theft-related crimes
- Traffic offenses
- Underage operating a vehicle under the influence
- Vandalism and other types of property offenses
We have helped juveniles respond to these and many other charges. We understand how to create the strongest defense possible.
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Potential Punishment for Juvenile Crimes in Ohio
Juveniles in Ohio who are convicted of crimes can expect to end up facing several different types of penalties. Some of the most common punishments assigned to juveniles in Ohio include:
- Placement on house arrest
- Placement in temporary or permanent custody
- Requiring community service
- Requiring the juvenile to obtain a high school diploma
- Requiring the juvenile to participate in drug and alcohol monitoring
- Requiring the juvenile to pay court costs and fines
- Placement in an alcohol or drug treatment program
- Suspension of the juvenile’s driver’s license
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Options to Avoid a Juvenile Conviction
Even if a juvenile faces a conviction, there are still some options to eliminate the criminal record that will follow that individual for the rest of his or her life. These options include:
- Sealing a record. Juvenile records in Ohio are permitted to be sealed if the juvenile’s case was resolved prior to filing a complaint, the juvenile successfully completed a diversion program, or the juvenile’s case was dismissed.
- Expungement of a record. Sealed records in Ohio will be expunged either five years after the court issues an order to seal the records or on the juvenile’s 23rd birthday. While sealing a record makes it harder to discover, expungement is the equivalent of wiping the offense from a person’s record.
- Juvenile Mediation Program. Before formal charges are filed against a juvenile, these programs offer the option to resolve the conflict between the victim of the crime and the offender. Mediation offers a way to reach an agreement without a guilty record.
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Speak with our Seasoned Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys
Contact Kruger & Hodges today to schedule an initial consultation about the offense with which your juvenile has been charged. During this difficult time, it is critical to obtain the assistance of seasoned juvenile criminal defense lawyers who understand how to create the strongest defense possible.
Call or text 513-894-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form