Many people assume that the court system is designed to punish people for their actions, and while some sentences can certainly feel like a punishment, the overall goal of criminal sentencing is to prevent someone from re-offending in the future. Sometimes this is accomplished with a jail sentence, while other times the court gets a bit more creative in ensuring the offender gets the help they need to grow from their mistakes and move on with their life.
Finding the right criminal sentence is always important, but it’s especially crucial for juvenile offenders whose brain’s are still development. Get them back on the right path, and they can do great things. Punish them too harshly and limit their access to helpful resources, and they may continue to find themselves back in the courtroom for other issues. Because of this, juvenile courts oftentimes get a little creative with their sentences to increase the likelihood that the offender comes out of the ordeal with the right mindset. Below, we look at five common juvenile sentences that may be handed down after a conviction or as part of a plea agreement.
Common Juvenile Sentences
Let’s take a closer look at five common juvenile sentences that may be handed down, other than fines or court fees.
1. Probation – Probation is a set of guidelines that are put in place to ensure the individual avoids certain activities following their release. Probation may require regular check-ins with a probation officer, drug or alcohol monitoring, avoiding certain individuals or curfew regulations. These requirements will be tailored to the individual and the specific case, but it oftentimes allows the offender to return to a normal life so long as they stay out of any more trouble.
2. Substance Abuse Education Courses – The court may decide that the charges or certain punishments will be dropped if the offender completes specific education courses, oftentimes related to substance abuse. Your lawyer may recommend you complete one of these courses even prior to sentencing to showcase to the court that you are interested in turning your life around.
3. Restitution – The offender may be ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the case. For example, if the offender caused property damage, restitution payments can help to pay for the damage that was caused.
4. Community Service – The court may order that the individual complete a set amount of community service hours. This gets the juvenile involved in the community and serves to make it a better place, which is typically preferred to having the kid just sit in a holding cell.
5. Juvenile Detention – Finally, in more severe cases, the juvenile may be sentenced to detention in a juvenile facility or a similar treatment facility. Many of these facilities are low security and focus on helping juveniles learn from their mistakes so that they can get their life back on track following their release.
We have helped countless juveniles facing uncertainty with their criminal trial, and we can do the same for you. For more information on how we can help with your case, set up a free case review with Appelman Law Firm by calling (952) 224-2277.
