What Penalties Can Parents Face for Juvenile Offenders?
Juvenile crime is typically handled differently than adult crime, as there is a greater emphasis on the rehabilitation of the child. There are many factors that can increase the chances of a child committing juvenile crime, and part of a parent’s role is to raise a child as a good citizen, putting a parent’s responsibility into question in juvenile crime cases. Parental responsibility is a key component of juvenile crime, as “at least 36 States have mandated some type of responsibility provision beyond civil liability for parents and guardians of delinquent children…” (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention).
It is important to understand the various types of liabilities you may encounter if you are a parent of a juvenile. Laws regarding parents’ responsibilities vary state by state, so it is also critical that you seek legal advice to thoroughly understand your responsibilities according to your location.
How Can Parents Be Held Liable for Juvenile Crime?
Parents can often be held liable for the financial expenses that their child may have caused in their juvenile offense. Whether a juvenile damaged property, hurt another individual, or caused someone to accumulate medical expenses, the parents may have to compensate for the damages that their child causes to other individuals or places.
The law of parental responsibility also plays an important role in determining whether the child committed these actions in part to the parent’s lack of supervision. For instance, if the parents provided access to the juvenile to dangerous weapons, did not discourage them from engaging in dangerous behaviors, or were not present, these may constitute a violation of parental responsibility. There are two primary subcategories of parental responsibility: civil liability and criminal liability.
Civil Liability
Civil liability refers to the potential financial responsibilities that parents may have to take on for the damage or harm their child caused to others. This is enforced because it is important that victims in these instances are compensated for the harm or damages they endured, and often, children are not financially stable enough to compensate for this.
Criminal Liability
Criminal liability refers to the potential criminal charges a parent can face if there is evidence to support a parent’s negligence in the supervision of their child, such as neglect. Criminal liabilities are less common, but the consequences are much more severe than those of civil liability.
Parent’s Roles Throughout the Juvenile Legal Process
The juvenile legal process can be long and complex, and while a parent must ensure to keep their children’s best interest and future rehabilitation at the forefront, it is also important to take the necessary steps to consider their own role in their child’s actions.
Contact a Skilled Attorney About a Juvenile Offense Today
If you are the parent of a juvenile, the process can understandably feel overwhelming. To better understand your roles and responsibilities in this process, please contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
