Any individual under the age of 18 is considered a juvenile, according to the Virginian law. An entirely different court deals with juvenile offenses – until and unless the juvenile has been transferred to an adult court. Juvenile charges are often dealt with quite differently as compared to the adult charges, but in certain serious circumstances, they are handled on an equal level.
The Chesterfield Juvenile Justice System is a part of a higher justice system of Virginia and has distinct procedures and rulings for juvenile individuals. The juvenile system comprises of the following:
- J and DR (Juvenile and Domestic Relations) District Courts
- Detention Centers and facilities
- Law Enforcement Agency
- Correctional Facilities for Juveniles
A conviction for juveniles can have a great impact on their future, especially when the convictions occurred repeatedly at short intervals. If a pattern of criminal behavior has been found in a juvenile, he or she will be punished according to the charges laid out for adults. There are several situations where juveniles are dealt with and penalized as adults depending upon the nature and severity of their crime. Therefore, it is extremely important for the juvenile cases to be handled by an experienced attorney who will be able to provide a strong defense to your child. Moreover, if your child is at fault, he or she can be sent to a correctional facility, which will allow him to get the right treatment. This will also act as a preventive measure – hence preventing him from committing such acts in the future.
Juvenile Felony Charges or Punishments in Chesterfield Virginia
There is a wide range of penalties for the perpetrators, according to the code of Virginia § 16.1-278.8. Keeping in consideration the specifications and details of each case, the court may do the following:
- If the minor is able to abide by the rules and conditions, the sentence may be dismissed or suspended
- Enforce limitations on the perpetrator and his or her parents
- Order a correctional program for the perpetrator
- Grant the juvenile’s custody to the Department of Juvenile Justice, which will then send him or her to the correctional facility
- Put the juvenile in detention
- Put the juvenile on probation (keeping the terms provided by courts in consideration)
- Press charges against the juvenile of up to 500 dollars
- Suspend the juvenile’s driver’s license
- Ask for a compensation for the damages that have been made
- Ask the juvenile to provide community service
- Grant the child’s custody to a relative, social service provider or welfare agency.
A juvenile conviction can have a negative impact on the overall growth and development of the child. It can result in the following negative consequences for the child that are bound to affect him or her in the long run:
- Source of embarrassment in front of relatives and friends
- Suspension of driving license and privileges
- Being disqualified from receiving a scholarship
- Unable to enter the army
- Creating a negative impact on employment opportunities in the future