Helping Parents Help Their Children
If your child has been charged with a crime such as underage drinking, shoplifting, fighting or stealing money, his or her future may be at stake. As much as you may want him or her to accept the consequences in order to learn a lesson about responsibility, you also know you need a strong lawyer to help minimize potential damage.
I am Ralph Karsh, a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer with more than 20 years of experience. I have seen too many people permanently harmed by criminal charges from when they were children or young adults. I will fight to protect your child from these serious consequences.
Contact my law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation. This will be an opportunity to discuss your child's criminal defense options with a knowledgeable and dedicated Pennsylvania attorney.
Juvenile Record Sealing: Myth vs. Fact
If your child is under 18 and has been charged with a crime, the case will probably be handled in juvenile court. One common myth about juvenile court is that juvenile records are automatically erased when the child turns 18.
Juvenile records are never erased. If the child stays out of trouble, the records are supposed to be made generally unavailable, but they may continue to exist on databases accessible by employers, colleges and other institutions.
Also, if your child is charged with any other crime as an adult, the juvenile conviction will be considered a prior conviction for purposes of sentencing, admission to alternative rehabilitation programs and other purposes. This is why a vigorous criminal defense strategy is critical.
14-year-olds charged with felonies may be offered probation or after-school programs in light of their youth. This may not seem severe. But if they are, for instance, caught with drugs once they are adults, their prior felony convictions could have very serious consequences.
Considering Consequences for Young Adults
If your child is over 18 and facing criminal charges, you may be the one making the decision about whether to hire a criminal defense lawyer. I would strongly encourage you to do so.
Young adults often get caught committing crimes like underage drinking. You may want your child to pay the price for a bad decision. However, a criminal record can have a long-term impact, including long-term license suspension in the case of a future charge such as DUI.
When Experience Matters, Contact My Law Firm
I understand the concerns of parents in criminal cases and can work with you to develop an effective criminal defense plan. Contact my law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.
