Are you or a loved one in the Chicago region a juvenile offender? If so, it's crucial to be aware that Illinois' juvenile justice system can be technical and difficult to understand. Kuchinski Law Group is fortunately available to advocate on your behalf. Our attorneys have years of experience in representing you in court to make sure you get the best results possible. You can be confident that we are your best ally in the fight for justice, given our experience. We are aware of the difficulties the justice system presents and will take all necessary steps needed.
What is a juvenile offender?
According to Illinois law, a minor who violates or seeks to violate a federal, state, or local law before turning 18 is considered to be a juvenile. It's vital to remember that the juvenile justice system's objective is to rehabilitate these young offenders and steer them away from a life of crime, not to punish them for criminal offenses. Most hearings are presided over by a Judge and are not open to the general public.
What are the most common offenses in juvenile cases in Chicago?
In Chicago, several common crimes often emerge in the juvenile justice system. Even though some of them are serious adult crimes, they are all considered offenses for minors because of the age of the offender.
The term "juvenile status offenses" refers to one subset of crimes. These misconducts include behaviors such as truancy, curfew violations, or underage drinking. Even if they may not be serious offenses, the best solution for the implicated minors is legal counsel.
Sex crimes are another frequent offense. These incidents contain accusations of inappropriate or unlawful sexual behavior by a minor. Due to the sensitive nature of these cases, skilled legal counsel is required to defend the juvenile sex offender rights and negotiate the intricacies of the justice system.
Other crimes include theft, drug possession, violence, and property violations. It is essential to have a lawyer who comprehends the special factors and potential outcomes connected to these charges in the context of the juvenile justice system.
Juvenile delinquency and youth offenses control act
An essential component of legislation that controls how young offenders are handled in Illinois is the Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Offenses Control Act. The Illinois Juvenile Offender Program was created to manage offenders without any traces of criminal charges. The intent behind how the law was written was to prevent criminalizing children. To do this, all elements associated with a criminal proceeding were removed from the proceedings. A petition is offered in place of a complaint or indictment, and a summons is suggested in place of a warrant.
The minor was to be taken in by the parent, guardian, or probation officer rather than being arrested. The bill expressly forbade housing children in any prison or other facility that also housed adults. Instead of a prosecutor, a probation officer represents the child's interests rather than seeking the child's conviction. There should be either a jury of six men, not a jury of twelve men, or no jury at all. The child was to be found dependent, delinquent, truant, or released rather than being proven guilty.
Instead of just penalizing minors, this act emphasizes helping them turn their lives around and away from crime. This indicates that there are many sentencing choices available, such as counseling, volunteer work, or educational programs, to deal with the underlying problems that may have motivated the offense.
Allow Kuchinski Law Group to represent you and be your ally. Our lawyers can work together to make the future better for you or a loved one.