Ocean City, MD Juvenile Crimes Lawyers

Skilled Juvenile Crime Lawyers Defending Clients in Ocean City, Maryland

If your child has been charged with a delinquent offense, you may have understandable concerns about their future. The results of a juvenile case may impact your child's chances to get into college, or it could hurt their job prospects. Even worse, some juvenile cases can end up in adult court, leading to a criminal record and other penalties. An experienced Ocean City juvenile defense lawyer can protect your child's rights and fight to minimize the legal consequences.

If you are looking for serious, dedicated legal representation for your child, the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP is here to help. Our juvenile defense attorneys have over 50 years of shared experience in criminal law, so you can trust that your case will be handled by qualified professionals.

How Does Juvenile Court Work?

In general, if your child commits a criminal offense, it will be handled in juvenile courts. In many cases, juvenile crimes involve driving under the influence, drug crimes, assault, or theft, all of which can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies for adults.

First, the courts will hold an adjudication hearing where a judge will determine whether the juvenile actually committed the crime they have been accused of. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can represent your child at this hearing, making a case based on the available evidence and witness testimony.

Sentencing in juvenile court is much different than its adult counterpart. The sentencing options, or dispositions, usually place a greater emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment. A judge in juvenile court may order a child to be placed on probation or committed to a state facility for detention, or they may require the child to pay restitution to the victim of the crime.

When Are Juvenile Cases Taken to Adult Court?

Under certain circumstances, an offense committed by a juvenile may go to adult court. This should be avoided whenever possible, as a sentence in adult court will carry more permanent consequences.

For children aged 15 and above, a hearing will be held to decide whether the case should be prosecuted in juvenile or adult court. The judge will consider the child's age, their physical and mental health, and their willingness to undergo rehabilitation before making a final decision on how to handle the case. Additionally, a minor can be charged as an adult if they allegedly committed a criminal offense punishable by a life sentence.

At age 16 or above, some crimes committed by a juvenile may be prosecuted in adult court, including:

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can discuss your options for keeping your child's case in juvenile court, and we will argue for a favorable outcome on their behalf.

Expungement of Juvenile Offenses

Upon turning 18, a child may be eligible to have his or her juvenile record cleared. This process of expungement must be done manually and filed with the court. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our attorneys can help file a petition and build a strong case for an expungement.

Victims of the juvenile offense have the opportunity to object to an expungement, and they may give valid reasons to deny the petition. A hearing will be held, and if the court finds that the petition is in the offender's best interests and does not jeopardize public safety, the petition will likely be granted. The offender must have paid any required restitution to the victim prior to filing for expungement.

Note that not all violations are eligible for expungement from a juvenile record, such as offenses of a violent or sexual nature.

Meet With an Ocean City Juvenile Crimes Attorney

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our Ocean City juvenile defense attorneys are here to protect your child's future in juvenile or adult court. Call our offices at 410-280-2500 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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