Some people have the misconception that juvenile crimes aren’t serious, and because they aren’t serious, hiring a lawyer isn’t necessary. The sad reality is that juvenile crime is a life-altering matter, and hiring a dedicated Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer can help reduce the risks criminal allegations and misconduct pose for your child’s future.
Navigating the legal system is complex for juveniles. Certain crimes carry heavy offenses, too. The right legal representation can help keep your child out of jail and at home, where they belong. Even if jail time is unlikely, juvenile criminal charges can affect your child’s life for many years to come.Â
It can hurt their college prospects, their vocational opportunities, and their reputation. At Jacqui Ford Law, our juvenile criminal defense attorneys have helped children throughout Oklahoma fight their charges and clear their names.
What can happen to juvenile offenders?
There are a number of ways your child can be impacted by a criminal charge, including:
- Fines
- Community Service
- Probation
- Juvenile detention
When a juvenile offender is court-ordered to perform community service and meet with a probation officer, it’s critical. Missing these important obligations could get him or her into more trouble. It could also affect their daily lives by conflicting with school and extracurricular activities.
Jail time in juvenile detention facilities is another possibility for serious offenses. These detention facilities have other offenders, too. Some of whom might be dangerous and violent. Repeat offenses and long sentences in detention facilities can easily carry over into a child’s adult life, where punishments are longer, harsher, and far harder to recover from.
Certification as an Adult and the Youthful Offender Act
Under Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, Oklahoma recognizes three tracks for young people charged with serious offenses:
- Juvenile court: The standard track for most juvenile offenses, focused on rehabilitation
- Youthful Offender: A middle ground created by the Youthful Offender Act that applies to teens as young as 13 charged with serious crimes, including murder, rape by instrumentation, forcible sodomy, and other enumerated felonies. Youthful offenders face adult-like proceedings but may access rehabilitative programs through the Office of Juvenile Affairs. If rehabilitation fails, the sentence converts to an adult criminal sentence
- Certification as an adult: For the most serious offenses, including first-degree murder for those aged 15 to 17, a juvenile is tried entirely as an adult with full adult penalties and no option for juvenile certification
When is certification as an adult automatic?
Under 10A O.S. § 2-5-205, the track depends on age and the offense charged:
- Age 13-14, first-degree murder: Treated as an adult initially, though the person may petition to be certified as a youthful offender or juvenile
- Age 15-17, first-degree murder: Automatically tried as a full adult with no option for juvenile or youthful offender certification
- Age 15-17, serious offenses including second-degree murder, kidnapping, rape by instrumentation, forcible sodomy, and lewd acts with a child under 16: Automatically charged as a youthful offender, though either the person or the DA may petition to change that classification.
- Age 15-17, first-degree rape: At the DA’s sole discretion, charged as either a full adult or youthful offender
- Age 16-17, additional serious offenses including drug trafficking, aggravated assault on a police officer, and use of a firearm in a felony: May be charged as a youthful offender at the DA’s discretion
Once convicted as an adult, your child will be tried as an adult for every subsequent offense. This makes early and aggressive legal representation critical. The decisions made early in the process can determine which track your child ends up on.
How can an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer help with juvenile crimes?
A lawyer can be of great help to families facing juvenile crime convictions. Attorneys with experience handling juvenile cases know how to navigate the legal system so that your child has a chance to recover from their mistakes.
The time period after an arrest is critical. Your child should not face questions from law enforcement or court hearings without professional representation. What is said to police can be used against your child in future proceedings. Admitting to criminal activity or providing contradictory information can come back to haunt them in front of a judge.
An attorney should be present for all interactions with law enforcement and judges. Lawyers can also:
- File motions for continuances and to suppress evidence
- Negotiate for reduced sentences and less harsh punishments like community service, court-ordered counseling, or probation
- Argue for juvenile court jurisdiction rather than adult certification where the law allows
- Challenge youthful offender classification and advocate for the most favorable track available
- Assist with expunging criminal charges from your child’s record in the future
What types of charges can criminal defense attorneys help juveniles fight?
Our Oklahoma City criminal defense firm can assist your family with a number of juvenile charges. From more minor offenses like shoplifting and underage drinking to more serious crimes like assault, our team will help fight for your child’s future every step of the way. Our mission is to promote meaningful and fair treatment for our juvenile clients.
Some of the cases we handle include:
- Weapon possession
- Vandalism
- Drug offenses
- Underage DWIs
- Assault/Battery
- Sexual assault
- Violent offenses
- Offenses subject to youthful offender or adult certification
Contact Jacqui Ford Law Today
If your child has been arrested, securing legal representation early on could significantly improve your child’s chances of fair treatment, and in serious cases, determine whether they are tried as a juvenile, a youthful offender, or an adult.
Experienced with juvenile cases, our team understands the sensitive and distressing nature of facing the legal system on juveniles and their families. Contact Jacqui Ford Law today at 405-604-3200 for a consultation.Â
Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Crimes and Being Charged as an Adult
1. What is the difference between juvenile court, youthful offender status, and being tried as an adult in Oklahoma?
Juvenile court focuses on rehabilitation with confidential proceedings and lighter consequences. Youthful offender status, governed by the Youthful Offender Act under Title 10A, applies to teens aged 13 to 17 charged with serious crimes and creates adult-like accountability while still allowing access to rehabilitative programs. Being tried as an adult carries full adult penalties and a permanent public record. Which track your child ends up on can depend heavily on early legal intervention. Jacqui Ford Law knows how to fight for the most favorable outcome.
2. At what age can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Oklahoma?
It depends on the offense. Under 10A O.S. § 2-5-205, any person aged 15, 16, or 17 charged with first-degree murder is automatically tried as a full adult with no option for juvenile or youthful offender certification. A person aged 13 or 14 charged with first-degree murder is initially treated as an adult but may petition to be certified as a youthful offender or juvenile. For other serious felonies, teens as young as 15 may face youthful offender proceedings. Once convicted as an adult, your child will be prosecuted as an adult for every future offense.
3. Can my child’s juvenile record be expunged in Oklahoma?
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the nature of the offense and how the case was resolved. Juvenile records are generally confidential, but certain serious adjudications can become public. An attorney can help determine whether your child qualifies for expungement and guide you through the process to give them the cleanest possible start as an adult.
4. What should I do immediately after my child is arrested in Oklahoma?
Do not allow your child to answer questions from law enforcement without an attorney present. Anything said to police can be used against them in court. Contact Jacqui Ford Law immediately at 405-604-3200. The earlier we are involved, the better positioned we are to protect your child’s rights and influence how their case is handled from the start.
5. Can a juvenile be required to register as a sex offender in Oklahoma?
Yes. If a juvenile is adjudicated or convicted of certain sex offenses, particularly those that result in youthful offender or adult certification, they may be required to register as a sex offender in Oklahoma.Â
6. Does a juvenile conviction affect college applications or future employment?
It can. While juvenile records are generally confidential, certain serious adjudications become public, particularly those involving youthful offender or adult certification. Even confidential records can affect background checks for professional licenses, military service, and some federal programs. An attorney can help minimize these consequences and pursue expungement where available.
7. What is the Youthful Offender Act, and how does it affect my child’s case?
The Youthful Offender Act was created to hold teens accountable for serious crimes while preserving the possibility of rehabilitation. A youthful offender is prosecuted in adult-like proceedings but may be placed in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs for rehabilitative programs. If the court determines rehabilitation has failed, the sentence converts to an adult criminal sentence.
