Understanding Juvenile Law in Washington IL
In our legal system, we take extra care when it concerns the well-being of children. There is an understanding that children should not be tried to the same extent as an adult. However, through juvenile law for Washington IL, there’s more to it than “punishment” for children being accused of a crime. And with help from Essig Law Office, you too can understand the intricacies of juvenile law and how it can protect your children from challenging legal scenarios.
What Juvenile Law Covers
There are three main areas that juvenile law pertains to delinquency, dependency and status offenses. For example, if your child commits a crime similar to an adult offense, if a child undergoes abuse or neglect, or if a child breaks a minor centric law.
- Juvenile Delinquency – The most severe cases covered under juvenile law are related to juvenile delinquency. In these case scenarios, a minor is accused of a crime typically reserved for an adult. A court will decide the punishment for a child, but it is usually more reserved than if an adult had committed the same crime.
- Juvenile Dependency – For juvenile dependency cases, this primarily pertains to the protection of children. If a minor undergoes abuse, neglect or abandonment, it’s up to the courts to ensure a child’s safety. A court will assign guardianship to a more responsible party, either permanently or temporarily. If temporary, parents must go through parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and more.
- Status Offense – Specific state and federal laws are noncriminal for adults but criminal offenses for minors. These laws are primarily for minors’ safety and well-being and include curfews, underage drinking, truancy, etc. If authorities catch a minor breaking any of these laws, this is a status offense case. These crimes come with fines or penalties but don’t result in severe sentencing.
Our Legal Services
Juvenile law for Washington IL is only one part of the legal services that Essig Law Office can provide. The father and son attorney duo of Dean and Dustin Essig work diligently to provide local communities with legal services at a price they can afford. For example, our practice areas include:
Talk with Our Lawyers
If facing a situation involving juvenile law in Washington IL, you can count on the team at Essig Law Office for our legal counsel. Contact us today at 309-444-8041 to schedule a free consultation. Also, our office is located at 135 Washington Square, Washington, IL 61571.