WAS YOUR TEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME? 3 ACTIONS TO TAKE

If it's not your worst nightmare as a parent, it's certainly close: you've received a phone call from the police informing you that your teen has just been charged with a crime. No matter how serious the charge is, you likely feel anger, dread, frustration, fear and an overwhelming powerlessness to protect and help your teen.

However, just because your teen has been charged with a crime and faces a trial doesn't mean you, as their parent, are helpless or alone. Below, we'll tell you what steps you need to take as soon as you learn about your teen's charge. Taking these steps can help ensure that your teen gets a just trial and the representation they need when dealing with the legal system.

As soon as you receive a call notifying you of your child's arrest, jump into action to ensure your child's rights are protected. Detained minors have the right to:

Make sure that your child isn't being held without due process - if they are, start documenting the abuses of justice immediately and get in touch with a lawyer.

At the same time, bear in mind that juveniles don't have all of the same protections as adults. For instance, juveniles don't have the right to bail, so a judge doesn't necessarily have to grant bail if they don't think your teen should be allowed back in public. In most cases, though, the judge will probably release your teen back into your care to await trial.

In most cases, you can expect your child to be tried in a juvenile court if they ever reach the court at all: 20 percent of juvenile cases get dismissed before they reach the court, and nearly a quarter can be handled outside the court without the need for a formal trial.

However, although most teenagers are tried in juvenile court, there are a few exceptions where a judge can request a waiver that sends your child to an adult court instead. For instance, if your teen is accused of a serious crime like homicide or has an extensive criminal record, the judge might waive your child's juvenile court protections. Your teen would then be tried as an adult.

Being tried as an adult means your teen would serve time in an adult correctional facility rather than a juvenile detention center, a fate many parents fear for their child. However, it also means your child may have more constitutional protections than if they were tried as a minor.

Different states have different laws about how old children must be to be tried as adults. If you're concerned that your child's juvenile court rights may be waived - or if a judge already waived those rights and you want to know what that means for your teen's case - get in touch with a lawyer who can walk you through the pros and cons and prepare for the trial.

Don't assume that the court will go easy on your teen just because of their age or that your child is young enough to not need legal representation. Defendants have a much better chance of receiving a just and thorough trial with an experienced attorney on their side, and teenage defendants are no exception.

Instead, just as you would if you were on trial, find a capable lawyer with the experience to protect your teen's rights. Your lawyer should support you as well as your teen by helping you navigate the complex legal system and giving you access to resources that help you support your child.

No parent should have to face the nightmare of their teen going to court alone, and with our help, you won't have to. We can help defend your child in court and work to ensure they get fair treatment from the American legal system. Learn about how we can help you and your teen, and schedule your free consultation today.