With rising temperatures and the rapid approach of summer in Florida, juvenile mischief will likely be rampant. Sadly, in many cases, the mischief turns into more serious matters, and young people are arrested and accused of committing juvenile crimes. Many such arrests follow status offenses, which constitute acts that are only illegal if committed by minors.
Status offenses include alcohol consumption, truancy and violations of curfew laws. Under Florida statutes, minors are prohibited from being in public establishments or places between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next day from Sunday through Thursday. Curfews are also in place between one minute past midnight and 6 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
In many cases, teens have easy access to alcohol and drugs. For this reason, arrests of juveniles for drunk driving and possession of narcotics are prevalent during the summer. Theft and property crimes are also common, and some say it could be due to the higher number of tourists during the summer, and many homes that are conspicuously unoccupied when occupants go on vacation. Sadly, many teens get arrested for crimes related to sexual assault during the months of summer.
It is essential to speak with an attorney who is experienced in dealing with parents and teenagers who have to deal with the consequences of arrests on charges of juvenile crimes. A Florida lawyer can be present during interviews or questioning and make sure that the accused teenager’s legal rights are not violated. An attorney could attempt to get the charges dismissed or lowered, and may also be able to negotiate to get the juvenile’s criminal record expunged after his or her 18th birthday.
Source: FindLaw, “Common Juvenile Crimes During Summer“, Molly Zilli, May 15, 2018
