If your child has been charged with a crime, then you need to speak to an attorney. Your child’s freedom, their education and their future will all be affected by their arrest. You need an experienced, knowledgeable and devoted attorney who will dedicate his time and energy to your child’s case, and you need someone who will protect their future. Attorney Williams has successfully handled over 100 juvenile delinquency cases. He can he can protect your child’s future as well.
My child Was Arrested. What is Going to Happen Next?
If your child was arrested then you’ll be required to appear in court. In some cases, your attorney will be able to work out a diversion agreement which will ultimately lead to your child’s case being dropped. In other cases, your attorney will represent your child at a plea hearing or during a non-jury trial. Either way, you need to speak to an attorney who can explain your child’s rights, any defenses your child may have and the juvenile justice process in general.
Can the Police Talk to My Child Without Me Present?
Yes, the police can approach, detain and question your child without your consent or knowledge. While some agencies have policies in place that require an officer to attempt to contact a parent before speaking to a juvenile, there is no law or rule saying law enforcement has to contact you first. Everyone, including children, has the right to refuse to speak to law enforcement and ask for a lawyer when questioned, and every child has to be read Miranda warnings if they are detained and being questioned by law enforcement. If your child was questioned by law enforcement without your knowledge, or if you want to know more about your child’s rights when detained by law enforcement, contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.
Will This Arrest Remain on My Child’s Record?
In Florida, juvenile misdemeanor records are maintained as confidential records, meaning the general public can’t see the record. However, any juvenile arrest for a felony charge is exempt from confidentiality and their arrest will be considered a public record.
Depending on how the case is resolved, the juvenile may be able to seal or expunge their record, but the record will remain a public until the case is sealed. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sells their records to private companies on a regular basis, which means the juvenile’s record may have already been sold to a private company that is not required to seal the record, even if you end up getting your record sealed with a court order. If this happened to you or your child then you need to speak to an attorney about what steps to take next.
If you have questions about your child’s case, or if you need help having something removed from your criminal record then contact Attorney Williams for a free consultation.