The common saying is "kids will be kids." However, once they are accused of committing a crime, it can become serious very quickly. If your child has been charged with a crime, an experienced Florida juvenile criminal defense attorney at Musca Law can help put this mistake in the past. Let's examine the top juvenile crimes committed in Florida.
- Assault and Battery Although these are two separate crimes, they are often charged together. Assault is the intentional, unlawful threat by word or acts while battery is intentional touching or striking of another person against their will.
- Burglary In Florida, burglary occurs when a person enters or remains in a structure with the intent to commit a criminal offense. It is considered a felony and carries hefty punishments.
- Petit Larceny If a theft occurs, a juvenile can be charged with petit larceny if the property taken falls between $100 and $300.
- Misdemeanor Drug Violations There are a number of varying drug violations that your child could be arrested for ranging from drug possession to possession of paraphernalia. Most only carry misdemeanor violations, but can also be charged as a felony.
- Aggravated Assault and Battery Aggravated assault exists when a deadly weapon is used but there was no intent to kill or commit a felony. Aggravated battery differs in that the weapon causes great bodily harm.
- Disorderly Conduct This is defined by acts that corrupt the public morals or peace of individuals who may witness them. Fighting, loitering, and noise complaints generally fall under this classification.
- Trespassing Criminal trespass is defined as entry into or remaining on property without the permission of the owner.
- Driving Under the Influence Driving under the influence is illegal when the blood alcohol content is at a level of .08 or above in adults. For minors, the law is different. Zero tolerance applies to those under the age of 21 and result in significant penalties.
There are a number of common acts that juveniles may commit without even realizing it is a criminal offense. Fighting, using drugs, stealing, and driving under the influence are just a few that can result in legal trouble for your child.
If your child has been arrested, contact our experienced juvenile criminal defense attorneys at Musca Law to provide strong representation and work to minimize potential effects on your child's future.