A Strong Advocate for Young People in Trouble
If your child has been accused of a crime in New York State, a lot depends upon whether the case appears in family court or criminal court. Generally, when a child under 16 is charged with a crime, the case is heard in family court. Family court judges have substantial discretion in how they handle these cases and the types of punishment they hand out. What is often necessary is an effective advocate who can help the judge understand that neither justice nor the child will be served by overly-harsh consequences.
For children 16 and over, criminal charges are handled in criminal court. In addition to the potential legal consequences, a young person could find his or her future educational and professional opportunities limited by a criminal conviction.
- Prosecutors may refuse to grant youthful offender status, making it harder to clear up the young person's criminal record.
- Probation officers can refuse to transfer probation to another state, making going home for summer break impossible. Probation can also keep a young person from participating in study abroad programs.
- A criminal conviction — or even a serious criminal allegation — could negatively impact a young person's eligibility for financial aid, grants and scholarships.
Prosecutors in upstate New York will almost certainly seek heavy penalties — and be less likely to offer youthful offender status — in cases involving large amounts of drugs, guns or serious injury to another person. Sometimes, even pleading guilty to a simple misdemeanor can have unforeseen consequences.
Parents should be reassured. In almost every case, there are options. An experienced attorney can sit down with you, explain the situation and help you explore every option available to minimize the potential consequences of a criminal charge.
Get Experienced, Aggressive Representation Today
When your child's future is at stake, I believe you need an attorney who is not afraid to fight. My name is Laurin Haddad. I am a Syracuse student crime defense attorney serving clients throughout upstate New York. I handle a wide range of juvenile and youth offenses, including:
- Petit larceny (shoplifting)
- Drug possession and other drug charges
- Violent crimes
- Sex crimes
- Weapons offenses
- Underage alcohol offenses
- A wide range of misdemeanors
I often deal with parents whose primary concerns are to keep their child out of jail, to keep their child from getting a criminal record, and to prevent their child from being kicked out of school due to an arrest or criminal charge. If you are looking for an aggressive advocate who will stand up for your child's rights and future, I can help.
Contact a New York Juvenile Crimes Lawyer
If you need to talk to an attorney who will listen and who will give you the honest answers and straight talk you need in order to make the best decisions, I invite you to contact Haddad Law Office today. For a consultation with a Syracuse criminal defense attorney, call 866-986-4862 toll free or contact me online.
Off site, evening and weekend appointments are available.
