Parental Responsibility in Atlanta Juvenile Defense Cases

As a parent, you have a lot of responsibilities for your child’s care. You are required to ensure that they are properly fed, clothed, and educated, that their home is as safe as possible, and that they’re given proper supervision. As a parent, you are also responsible for preventing your minor child from committing crimes. Failing to do so can make you legally liable for the crime that your child commits.

A seasoned youth defense attorney could discuss parental responsibilities in Atlanta juvenile cases and help you understand the legal implications of these responsibilities.

Types of Crimes Parents Can Be Held Responsible For

Parents are expected to properly supervise their children. Because the law recognizes this expectation, parents can be held responsible for the willful and malicious actions of their children to the same extent that they are held liable for their own reckless actions. Some of the types of crimes committed by a child that a parent can face legal responsibility for include:

An experienced juvenile defense attorney in Atlanta could provide guidance to parents facing liability for their child’s actions.

Potential Consequences

According to Georgia law, if a parent with custody and control of a child under 18 is found responsible for the criminal acts of the child, they face a penalty of up to $10,000 plus court costs. If the crime resulted in personal injury to another person, they may also be required to pay medical costs associated with the injury. In some cases, a parent can also face criminal charges resulting from their child’s delinquint acts and, if convicted, go to jail.

What Must Be Proven in an Atlanta Parental Responsibility Case

In order for you to be held legally liable for the reckless, intentional, or malicious acts of your juvenile child, the prosecution must be able to show that the child’s crime was a result of your failure to reasonably exercise care, supervision, or control. This is typically done by introducing witnesses and evidence that show a developed pattern of neglect or disregard for the child’s behavior. There are several potential defenses to parental responsibility accusations, such as:

Proving reasonable attempts by the parent to control the child’s behavior
Establishing the child’s history of mental illness that the parent was not aware of or attempted to control

It is important to note that in addition to the potential of criminal penalties as a result of a juvenile’s “delinquency,” the parent can also face civil consequences through a personal injury lawsuit when a person is injured due to the child’s actions. While civil and criminal consequences are handled through different processes, it is possible to be found both criminally and civilly liable for the same incident in Atlanta.

Contact an Atlanta Attorney About Parental Responsibilities in Juvenile Defense Cases

In many cases, if your child is accused of committing a crime in Atlanta, they’re not the only one facing potential consequences. The penalties for parental responsibility can be severe, expensive, and even result in a criminal record. Contact the legal team at Robert James Trial Attorneys today to learn more about parental responsibilities in Atlanta juvenile defense cases.