Skilled Waukesha Lawyers Help When Your Teen Has a Run-in with the Law

Adolescence is usually the time when your child starts to act out and begins to develop the kind of personality he or she will bring into adulthood. As such, rebellion is a common occurrence among teenagers. Unfortunately, some teens take it too far, and find themselves in trouble with the law.

It’s only natural that you do not want to think about your teen being handcuffed like the teen pictured above; it’s a distressing thought. Just know, however, that such a scenario can happen simply because your teen was at the wrong place at the wrong time, or was simply hanging out with the wrong people. This is why you should be aware of the legal process when it comes to juvenile cases. If in the event you receive a phone call from the police telling you that your teenager has been arrested, do not panic. Keep a cool head and keep the following in mind:

Explain Your Teen’s Miranda Rights

The Miranda Rights are applicable to all, so do your best to explain to your child to verbally invoke his or her rights. In particular, tell your child to take advantage of the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a skilled Waukesha lawyer like one from Huppertz & Powers, S.C. Additionally, tell your child to avoid talking to police officers before you and a lawyer arrive at the police station.

Leave Frustrations at the Door

Having to deal with police officers can be a stressful and frightening experience for adults—what more for a 16-year-old? Simply put, there is no need to add to the stress and fear your teen is currently experiencing by shouting at him or her. Leave your frustrations at the door of the police station, so that you can provide the support your teen needs at this time.

Help Your Child Recall What Happened

The law is very strict with what a police officer can or cannot do when it comes to arresting children. If a police officer doesn’t follow protocol or if there was no “probable cause” to arrest your child in the first place, charges may not stick. It is important to help your child recall everything that happened prior to the arrest and relay this information to the experienced Waukesha lawyers handling your teen’s case.

Sources:

Parenting Advice: When Your Child Gets Arrested, Kars4Kids.com

8 Hand-Holding Tips If Your Child Gets In Trouble With The Law, Fines, and Penalties, Forbes Magazine