The Basics of Illinois Juvenile Crime

 Posted on July 31, 2024 in Juvenile Offenses

A conviction and even an accusation of juvenile crimes can impact a minor for the rest of his or her life. While some crimes that juveniles commit may be nothing more than petty offenses, other crimes can result in major legal consequences and convictions on your child’s record. An experienced Illinois juvenile criminal defense attorney can help you understand the next steps if your child has been charged with a crime.

Common Juvenile Crimes

It is important to note that juvenile crimes are those committed by individuals under the age of 18, even though a minor under 18 can potentially be tried as an adult for particularly severe crimes.

The most common types of crimes that juveniles are arrested for in Illinois include the following:

• Theft – This includes shoplifting, also known as retail theft, and theft crimes can easily increase in severity from misdemeanors to felonies if the stolen property is valuable or the juvenile used force or a weapon while committing the crime.

• Vandalism – This is the crime of intentionally destroying property, and it can either be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the property destroyed.

• Criminal Trespass – This occurs when juveniles enter private property, and it typically results in a misdemeanor unless the trespassing occurs on federal property or alongside another crime, like vandalism.

• Assault – This can occur after a fight at school or as a result of bullying behavior, and assault charges can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on who was assaulted, whether weapons were used, and how badly the alleged victim was hurt.

Juveniles may also get into legal trouble when it comes to underage drinking or smoking, including using e-cigarettes or other vaping devices, DUI, truancy, sex offenses, and school threats.

Penalties for Juvenile Charges

In Illinois, there is a significant focus on rehabilitating juveniles accused of crimes instead of sentencing juveniles to time in jail. That being said, jail time is more likely to be given if a crime is a felony or if there is a repeated history of offenses.

In general, penalties for juvenile charges include the following:

• Community-based rehabilitation programs

• Behavioral counseling

• Substance abuse counseling

• Time in a juvenile detention center

• Probation

The exact penalties your child may face depend on the type of crime he or she has been charged with, the severity of the crime, and whether or not your child is determined to be a risk to public safety.

Contact a Naperville, IL Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer

If your child is dealing with a criminal charge, you should contact a knowledgeable Naperville, IL juvenile criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you and your child understand your rights and will advocate for the charges your child faces to have minimal impact on his or her future.

At the Law Office of Philip R. Nathe, our team understands the criminal process from the perspective of both a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor, and will handle your case with skill and experience. Call 630-416-7600 for a free consultation.