Any time your child is involved in a crime it’s a serious matter. When that crime involves a firearm, police and courts take your charges much more seriously. In California, the illegal possession of a firearm by a minor can lead to charges against both the child and the adult responsible for them getting the gun (most times, the parent). If your child is involved in a crime involving a gun, it is vital that you contact an experienced defense attorney immediately.
The defense team at the Law Offices of David A. Stein has defended Southern California juvenile cases for many years and will keep your child’s best interests as our priority. Call us today at (949) 445-0040 for a free and confidential consultation.
How does the involvement of a firearm affect my child’s case?
In one word: “Seriously.”
Under California law, a minor over 14 years of age can be prosecuted as an adult for crimes including the following:
- Murder or attempted murder
- Rape and other sexual offenses
- Crimes involving firearms
- Robbery involving a weapon
- Attempted arson to a building with people inside
- Escape from a juvenile detention facility
- Crimes involving drugs
- Kidnapping
- Discharge of a firearm within an inhabited building
- Assault likely to induce great bodily harm
Penalties for a juvenile being charged as an adult are far more severe than those of a juvenile being charged as a minor. For instance, a child convicted as an adult could be forced to serve time in an adult incarceration facility with older, hardened criminals instead of serving time in a juvenile facility with people their own age.
Can a juvenile conviction count as a “strike” under California’s “Three Strikes” law?
Answer: Absolutely.
According to California Penal Code section 667(d)(3)(a), a previous juvenile conviction can count as a strike if:
- The offender was 16 years old, or older, at the time the offense was committed
- The previous offense was deemed a serious or violent felony
How can I protect my child?
As a parent or guardian, your child’s future is t important to you. Please don’t hesitate to call an experienced legal professional if you find yourself in a situation where your child is accused of a crime.
The experienced Orange County attorneys at the Law Offices of David A. Stein have the expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to handle your child’s case in a sensitive and responsible manner. We will fight to have your child’s gun charges reduced, dropped, and hopefully permanently erased from their records.
If your child’s future is in jeopardy due to being charged with a serious crime, it is important that you contact the esteemed Law Offices of David A. Stein with your concerns. Call (949) 445-0040 for a free and confidential consultation.
