Juvenile Offenses vs. Adult Crimes

The ages during which a child is considered a juvenile is decided by the state. For example, California considers those over 16 years of age to be adults, whereas the state of Wisconsin considers children between the ages of 10 and 17 to be juveniles. If these young people are accused of crimes, they will be handled by the juvenile court rather than the court system for adults. If juveniles are detained, they are held in different facilities than adults, and they can also spend time in a juvenile facility rather than an adult jail.

If you are facing juvenile charges or your child has been arrested for a crime, contact the Milwaukee juvenile defense attorneys of Hart Powell, S.C. today at (414) 271-9595. Unfair punishment of minors can destroy a life without just cause. Mistakes are made and lessons can be learned without diminishing the chance of having a normal life.

Sentencing for Juvenile Crimes

Punishments for minors are less severe than those for adults and are particularly designed to help in rehabilitation and deterring future crimes. The final sentencing for a juvenile will depend on the following factors:

  • Desire for rehabilitation
  • Social history
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Evidence in the case
  • Severity of crime
  • Past record

However, there are exceptions to juvenile sentencing. Older juveniles may be tried as adults or face the same sentences, especially in such crimes as murder.

Contact Us

There is a fine line between punishing a child for their actions and sentencing them to a difficult life. The Milwaukee juvenile defense lawyers of Hart Powell, S.C. have helped many juveniles fight their charges. Our attorneys are passionate about getting minors the second chance they deserve. If you or your child has been accused of a crime, contact us today at (414) 271-9595 for your consultation.

Written by Michael Hart & Craig Powell

Last Updated : January 13, 2016