Juvenile Crimes

If your child has been charged with a crime in Orange County, it is vital to contact an experienced Orange County juvenile crimes attorney immediately. A criminal conviction at a young age can carry through into adult life. Don’t let one mistake or case of bad judgment ruin your child’s life. At McDonald & Campbell, we are dedicated to protecting your child’s best interest, and that ensuring that his/her future opportunities are not jeopardized.

The juvenile criminal court system is very different from the laws governing adults. The juvenile system is a completely separate and independent system, and has its own set of laws, regulations, procedures, courts, and personnel.  In California, the juvenile criminal system processes cases in which the defendant is between the ages of ten and 18 years old. However, unlike adult court, the juvenile system focuses more on rehabilitation, counseling, and self-improvement, rather than punishment and incarceration; many people agree that counseling and rehabilitation is much more effective in shaping and producing productive members of society.  
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime, a juvenile may be tried as an adult. There are a number of factors the court will consider to determine whether a minor will be tried in adult court, such as:

• The type of crime committed
• The severity and sophistication of the crime
• The offender’s prior criminal record/history
• The likelihood that rehabilitation will be effective
• The success of any previous attempts to rehabilitate the offender.

At McDonald & Campbell, we are very experienced in juvenile criminal law, and have represented minors throughout Orange County charged with the following types of felony and misdemeanor juvenile crimes:

• Theft Crimes (shoplifting, auto theft, burglary, robbery, forgery, etc.)
• Murder
• DUI
• Gang Activity
• Drug Offenses
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Physical Assault
• Battery
• Murder and/or Homicide
• Possession of a Weapon
• Rape
• Sexual Misconduct
• Child Molestation
• Underage Drinking
• Destruction of Property
• Vandalism
• Truancy
• Arson
• Probation Violations
• Trespassing

Contact Orange County Juvenile Crimes Attorneys
If your child has been charged with a criminal offense, it’s important to contact an experienced Orange County juvenile crimes attorney. If convicted, your child may face a variety of penalties, including probation, incarceration, community service, fines, behavior counseling, or a mark on his/her permanent record.