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Sterling Juvenile Crimes Lawyer

Sterling, VA Juvenile Crimes Attorney

Lawyer Defending Minors Against Charges of Juvenile Delinquency in Sterling, Virginia

When a minor is charged with a criminal offense, both minors and their families face a multitude of consequences. Stakes are high, as the outcome of criminal charges can affect a young person’s education, employment opportunities, and future. While Virginia’s juvenile justice system is designed to focus on rehabilitation, it is important for parents and children to seek legal representation to understand the potential consequences of the charges and develop a plan to minimize the long-term impact on their life.

At Whitlock Law, we provide compassionate, strategic legal representation in juvenile delinquency cases in Sterling, Virginia. We can help you navigate the juvenile court process while fighting to protect your child’s future.

Common Reasons Minors May Be Charged With Juvenile Offenses

Young people often act impulsively without considering the consequences of their actions, and that conduct sometimes gives rise to criminal charges. Common reasons minors enter the juvenile justice system include offenses such as:

Theft or Shoplifting: A minor may be accused of taking money or property without permission. Even if they only attempt to steal items from a store without actually following through on these actions, they could be charged with shoplifting.
Assault and Battery: Some children may get into physical altercations at school or other locations. The severity of the charges in these cases may depend on whether there were any injuries or other factors, such as hate speech.
Vandalism and Property Damage: Graffiti, breaking windows, or other destruction of property could lead to arrests, and the penalties a child may face will often depend on the extent of the property damage.
Trespassing: Entering private property without authorization can lead to arrests. Children could face these charges if they attempt to use public pools while they are closed at night or sneak into other locations.
Disorderly Conduct: Actions such as fighting, disrupting school activities, or engaging in threatening behavior could lead to juvenile charges.
Drug and Alcohol Offenses: Underage drinking or possession of alcohol or drugs by minors can lead to serious consequences. In some cases, children may face DUI charges, which could lead to detention, driver's license revocation, fines, and mandatory substance abuse counseling and education.

Minors who are charged with more serious offenses, such as robbery, burglary, auto theft, or sexual misconduct, may have their cases transferred to adult court. When a minor is tried as an adult, the penalties they face will be much more severe, and they may end up with a permanent criminal record.

The Juvenile Court Process in Virginia

Juvenile delinquency cases start and are generally concluded in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The focus in these proceedings is often on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Courts recognize that children may not realize the consequences of certain behavior, and they will often try to find solutions that will help a child avoid findings of guilt so that they can be successful in their adult lives.

The penalties that may be imposed by juvenile courts include:

Diversion Programs: The Court could require the minor complete counseling, community service, or education programs and have no further violations of law. If the child successfully completes the Court requirements, the Judge can dismiss the charges entirely.
Probation: In some cases, a child may be placed under court supervision and subjected to regular reviews. Additional penalties may be imposed if the minor violates the terms of probation.
Commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice: When children have been accused of committing serious offenses, they may be placed in a juvenile detention center for a period of time. In some cases, minors may be held in detention until they reach adulthood and could be transferred to jail or prison upon turning 18.
Restitution: A minor or, in some cases parents, may be required to compensate victims for damages caused by their actions, such as paying to repair or replace property that was damaged.

Contact Our Sterling, Virginia Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer

In cases where minors have been charged criminally, Whitlock Law works to resolve these matters in ways that will protect the minor’s future opportunities and help families avoid unnecessary hardship. We provide free consultations where we help parents understand their options and develop strategies to protect a child’s rights and future. Contact our Sterling juvenile crimes defense attorney today by calling 703-576-5005 to learn how we can help your family.

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Silver Spring Bowie Frederick Chesapeake Manassas Glen Allen Leesburg

Silver Spring Office

8701 Georgia Ave. Suite 610
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone 301-565-1655

Bowie Office

16701 Melford Blvd., Suite 400
Bowie, MD 20715

Phone 301-565-1655

Frederick Office

5100 Buckeystown Pike # 250
Frederick, MD 21704

Phone 301-565-1655

Chesapeake Office

1545 Crossways Blvd., Suite 250
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Phone 703-576-5005

Manassas Office

10432 Balls Ford Rd, Suite 300
Manassas, VA 20109

Phone 703-576-5005

Glen Allen Office

4870 Sadler Road, Suite 300
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Phone 703-576-5005

Leesburg Office

113 E. Market St, Suite 111
Leesburg, VA 20176

Phone 703-576-5005

We serve personal injury clients throughout Maryland, including Rockville, Potomac, Olney, Aspen Hills, Damascus, Hagerstown, Middletown, Bethesda, Germantown, Kensington, Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase, Frederick, Urbana, Clarksburg, Greenbelt, Upper Marlboro, College Park, Beltsville, Largo, Laurel, Columbia, Ellicott City, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Towson, Reisterstown, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Linthicum Heights, Baltimore, Annapolis, Crofton, Severna Park, Glen Burnie, Westminster, Sykesville, Silver Spring, Langley Park, Riverdale Park, Wheaton, Glenmont, Highlandtown, Hyattsville, and Bowie.

We serve personal injury and criminal defense clients throughout Virginia, including Arlington, Chesapeake, Newport News, McLean, Herndon, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Reston, Richmond, Suffolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Centreville, Charlottesville, Annandale, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Vienna, Front Royal, Falls Church, Purcellville, Hampton, Portsmouth, Woodbridge, Gainesville, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Fairfax, Manassas, Alexandria, Norfolk.

Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.

Cases Tried In:

Free Consultations Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005

Sterling, VA Juvenile Crimes Attorney

Lawyer Defending Minors Against Charges of Juvenile Delinquency in Sterling, Virginia

Common Reasons Minors May Be Charged With Juvenile Offenses

The Juvenile Court Process in Virginia

Contact Our Sterling, Virginia Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer

Practice Areas

Recent Blog Posts

Request a Case Evaluation

Silver Spring Office

Bowie Office

Frederick Office

Chesapeake Office

Manassas Office

Glen Allen Office

Leesburg Office

Free Consultations
Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005