I Wasn't 18 So It Doesn't Count

Hi. This is Christina Williams from Just Criminal Law. It's all we do. A common misconception is that crimes committed before a person is 18 are handled differently. I often hear clients say, I got in a little trouble when I was younger, but I wasn't 18. So it doesn't count. That's actually not true. Here are four things you may not know about being charged with a crime if you're under 18. Number one, it will stay on your permanent adult record unless you're specifically charged as a juvenile. If you're charged as a juvenile delinquent, the charge will stay in a sealed court record, but not your public record. So, for instance, it won't show up on a background check by a future employer. But that only happens if the prosecutor charged you as a juvenile. So keep this in mind. Number two, if you're charged as a juvenile, it's much easier for the state to prove you guilty. They don't have that same burden of proof they do in an adult case. They just need to show that it's more likely than not that you committed the crime. Number three, and if you are convicted, you will most likely end up on probation with a probation officer. This often causes problems for parents because they have to follow all the same rules that the son or daughter follows. Parents often feel like they're on probation when their son or daughter is on probation. And number four, always keep in mind that someone who is under 18 still has all the same rights as an adult, like the right to an attorney, the right to a jury trial, and most importantly, the right to remain silent. By becoming educated, you can protect yourself and your rights. If you find yourself in a situation where you're being questioned by the police or you've been placed under arrest. Tell the police you don't want to discuss your day and let them know you want to talk to a lawyer. Then contact just criminal law by clicking the link in the description. You can call, text or chat with a member of my team any time, day or night. If you found this video helpful, there are many more on our website at JustCriminalLaw.com. You only get one shot at justice. So make yours count.