The line between being considered an adult or a juvenile can be very thin for teenagers in Florida, and especially when they are involved in a criminal issue of any type. Serious crimes that are committed by teenagers under the age of 18 can be filed as though the...
Appealing a juvenile conviction
The Florida court system does have a few exceptional rules when prosecuting a minor, but for the most part, the process is the same as prosecuting an adult. Punishment may be light in some cases but not always. When a judge imposes a harsh penalty on a minor, the...
Your role in helping a child who is on probation
Children who are convicted of a criminal offense may be sentenced to probation. A Florida judge may require them to attend counseling sessions, attend class on a regular basis or participate in a job training program as part of their sentence. As that child's parent...
Juvenile offenses and employment applications
If you are facing charges as a young adult, or your child is in this position, you need to understand the potential repercussions resulting from the case. Aside from financial penalties, time behind bars and problems related to school, these cases can also come up...
How can a DUI impact my high school student’s future?
High school students sometimes feel like they are invulnerable to penalties because they are not out in the "real world" yet. Unfortunately, that is an illusion with real repercussions. In particular, a conviction for driving under the influence can result in heavy...
When can Florida try juveniles as adults?
When you have a child charged with a Florida criminal offense, you may have serious concerns about how the charge might impact his or her life if it leads to a conviction. You may feel especially fearful if there is a chance that your child may undergo prosecution as...
Talk to your kids about cyberbullying
As a parent, you want your kids to have a bright future. In addition to legal consequences, a conviction for a criminal offense may follow the young ones in your family for the rest of their lives. While it may seem less serious than other criminal offenses,...
How can I talk to my teen about shoplifting?
Teen shoplifting is a bigger issue than it might seem. While in the past teenage retail theft was considered a minor transgression, these days it can have serious consequences. Depending on the value of the object stolen, your child may face time in a juvenile...
Can you get kicked out of college for a DUI conviction?
Florida college students like you use this time to experiment with life. You have plenty of career options open to you. You have all the freedom you need to explore your possibilities, and you are likely encouraged to take every chance you get. But you should keep in...
How do I apply for a juvenile diversion expungement?
Clearing a criminal record is always a beneficial action since it can help you to overcome a mistake in your past. However, the law does not make it easy to do so and the requirements can be rather strict. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement explains that for a...
