Juvenile Crimes

Practice Description

Every kid makes a mistake now and then, but some might make certain mistakes that could haunt them for the rest of their life. If you have been convicted of a serious juvenile crime in Atlanta, you could face severe consequences that could be life-altering. With a juvenile arrest on your record, it could become very hard to get accepted into an institute of higher education, get a driver’s license or even get a job.

In order to get your juvenile charges reduced, dropped or restricted, you should get in touch with an experienced juvenile crimes attorney. At Andersen, Tate & Carr, our Atlanta juvenile crime attorneys will use their vast knowledge of Georgia juvenile laws to make sure your rights are protected during your legal proceedings. We understand that kids can make mistakes, and we believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Therefore, our attorneys will work tirelessly to get a juvenile conviction off your record.

Types of Juvenile Crimes in Atlanta

There are three main categories of juvenile crimes in Atlanta. If someone is convicted of a crime in the first category, they will get designated as a “child in need of services.” Crimes in this category include:

• Habitual disobedience of parent’s or guardian’s orders
• Habitual truancy
• Running away from home
• Patronizing a bar without accompaniment of parent or guardian
• Public loitering between midnight

The next two categories involve crimes that would be considered a felony if they were committed by an adult. These crimes are divided into class A and class B designated felonies. The crimes that result in a class A felony designation include:

• Kidnapping
• Hijacking of a motor vehicle
• Attempted murder
• 1st degree arson
• Criminal gang activity
• Aggravated battery

The crimes that result in class B Felony designation include:

• Racketeering
• Robbery
• Battery
• Smash and grab burglary
• Attempted kidnapping

While a juvenile will not be tried as an adult when they undergo their trial for committing any of these crimes, they will still face severe punishments and should seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney if they are convicted of any of these juvenile crimes.

Penalties for Juvenile Crimes in Atlanta

Although the penalties for juvenile crimes are not as severe as those for the same crime committed by an adult, these punishments can still negatively impact the future of someone convicted of committing one of these crimes. According to Georgia Code § 15-11-63, the punishments will be determined based on a variety of factors.

These factors include the child’s criminal record and background, their needs and best interests, the circumstances and nature of the offense and the child’s age. Based on these factors, the child could be placed in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice for an initial 5 year period, or they could be given a one to 5 year sentence in a youth development center.

Contact Our Team of Experienced Atlanta Juvenile Crimes Attorneys Today

If you have been charged with a juvenile crime in Atlanta, contact our offices today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you. Don’t let one mistake cause you to have a juvenile criminal record and inhibit you from having a bright future.

At Andersen, Tate & Carr, our team of knowledgeable and skilled juvenile crime attorneys will put their expertise to work for you and act as your advocates.