Parents want the best for their kids. Sadly, youthful indiscretion gets the better of many teens each year, leaving young people with regrettable consequences that can follow them for years. America’s criminal justice system often leaves teens with scarred permanent records that can haunt them well into adulthood and sometimes forever limit their ability to earn a living, go to college, or even rent an apartment.
They want what they can’t (or shouldn’t) have. If your child is facing criminal charge in Greenville, you need a juvenile crime lawyer who will work to understand your child’s situation and fight for his or her rights.
Why Kids Commit Crime
A 1997 article in the Baltimore Sun explains that youth crimes rarely change. Year after year, it’s usually the same stuff. Kids are predictable, and not much has changed in the way of juvenile crimes from 20+ years ago. Although there are a lot of ways to get in trouble, here are just 10 of the most common juvenile crimes that tend to put teens in jeopardy. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), these are the most common non-violent crimes for which minors are arrested. You will notice that the numbers add up to more than 100 percent. This is because most of the time, there are multiple offenses charged for the same offense or set of offenses.
#1 Arson
You wouldn’t expect to see arson at the top of the list, but according to NCJRS and FBI statistics from 1999, about 52 percent of all juvenile arrests involve some form of arson.
#2 Vandalism
Perhaps more predictably, about 42 percent of all arrests involve vandalism charges. Note that arson is often charged along with the lesser included offense of vandalism.
#3 Motor Vehicle Theft
Vehicle theft accounts for 36 percent of all teen arrests. While no doubt this may usually be a malicious and criminal act, there are plenty of situations where a teenager loans a parent’s vehicle to a friend or ‘borrows’ a friend’s or family member’s vehicle without permission. The intent to steal it is often completely absent, yet for whatever reason, prosecutors still bring felony charges.
#4 Burglary
Much like motor vehicle theft, boredom and immaturity often lead children to break into homes, garages, tool sheds, or other places, often looking for cigarettes, alcohol, prescription pills, or simply for thrill-seeking behavior. Unfortunately, 35 percent of arrests involve burglary, and teens may not be aware that their behavior constitutes a serious felony that can destroy their future.
#5 Larceny/Theft
Again, juveniles often steal things they can’t afford or take things they know they shouldn’t have. Depending on the value of the item stolen, this can be very serious. Yet, theft is involved in 32 percent of all arrests.
#6 Disorderly Conduct
Anyone who knows teenagers would almost expect this to be higher on the list, but in general, about 26 percent of all juvenile arrests involve disorderly conduct.
#7 Robbery
Roughly a quarter (25 percent) of all arrests involve robbery as a component of the crime.
#8 Liquor Law Violations
Underage drinking or using fake IDs to get alcohol can be quite serious crimes, and they often have a severe impact on a child’s future. About 25 percent of all arrests involved some form of underage alcohol violation.
#9 Weapons Crimes
Since we are talking about non-violent crimes, it’s important to note that 24 percent of arrests involved illegal possession of weapons (as opposed to use).
#10 Drug Abuse
While the 1999 FBI statistics showed just 13 percent of arrests being tied to drug abuse, it should be noted that drug arrests have actually decreased quite a lot. In 1999, there were about 592.4 juvenile arrests tied to drugs per 100,000 juveniles in the country. By 2016, that number dropped to 295.6 per 100,000, according to Department of Justice statistics .
Fighting For Your Child’s Future
Don’t let the police or an over-ambitious prosecutor take away your child’s ability to go to college, get a good job, or find a place to live. Crime happens, but it’s important to make sure that a young person is represented from the start. Make sure your child does not say anything to police. Do not sign anything or consent to anything until you’ve talked to a lawyer. If your child is facing criminal charges, call Lauren Taylor Law today.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.