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Criminal Law Blog

Exploring the Top Five Most Common Juvenile Crimes

October 11, 2024

When your child is charged with a crime, it’s important to hire an experienced juvenile criminal lawyer. Janet Altschuler is a criminal defense attorney in Tucson who can help you understand the charges against your child and build an aggressive defense. 

The best way to prevent your child from being charged with a crime in Arizona is to educate them on the importance of following the law. You should also understand which juvenile crimes are most common in Arizona and explain to your child what the consequences are for juvenile criminal charges. Here is a look at the top five most common juvenile crimes in Arizona and across the country. 

Theft and Larceny

In Arizona, juveniles can face theft and larceny charges for situations like shoplifting, stealing property from a store or person, and stealing from lockers or backpacks. Depending on the specifics of the circumstances and charges, your child could face probation, fines, restitution, community service, court-ordered counseling, or time in a juvenile detention center if they are charged with theft or larceny in Arizona. In rare cases, a parent can be held responsible for their child if their child shoplifts or steals, and the parent knew about it and didn’t do anything. 

Vandalism

Your child can be charged with vandalism in Arizona for tagging or graffiti, drawing on public or school restroom walls, keying a car, egging a house or car, or destroying property. The charges your child can face will depend on the circumstances of the incident, their prior record or history, and the value of the property that is damaged. In general, penalties can include fines, restitution, community service, probation, and time in a juvenile detention center. 

Alcohol Offenses

Possession and use of alcohol in Arizona is prohibited for those under age 21. Your child can be charged with an alcohol offense if they purchase or possess alcohol, consume alcohol, provide alcohol to others, and are in possession of an open container in public or in a car. Arizona has a zero tolerance policy for alcohol offenses for those under 21, and your child can face jail time, fines, probation, court-ordered alcohol counseling, and a suspended driver’s license if they are charged with a minor in possession of alcohol or minor in consumption of alcohol offense. For charges of underage DUI, they can spend up to 10 days in jail, pay a fine of up to $1600, and have their driver’s license suspended.  

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct charges can include fighting in a public place, fighting with a teacher or classmate on school grounds, cursing at a teacher, acting disrespectful in a public place or violating their stated rules of conduct, refusing to obey a request to leave a residence or property, displaying or recklessly handling a weapon, and indecent exposure charges such as flashing or mooning someone. While charges are typically misdemeanor charges, your child could face fines, probation, community service, and jail time depending on their record, age, and the circumstances of the event.

Simple Assault or Battery

In Arizona, juvenile assault and battery charges are typically filed together. Simple assault is the threat or attempt to cause physical harm to another, or threats or actions that make someone fear for their safety. Battery is the actual physical contact or harm that is caused to another person, such as unlawful or non-consensual touching, hitting, or physical injury. Your child can be charged with simple assault or battery if they are bullying, get into a physical disagreement with someone (including a parent, family member, friend, or classmate), or even if they shove or push someone else. The penalties your child faces will depend on their record or history, age, the details and circumstances of the event, and the level of harm caused to the other person. Penalties can include time in a juvenile detention facility, jail time, community service, court-ordered counseling or anger management, or probation.

Finding an Experienced Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Tucson, AZ

If your child is facing juvenile criminal charges, you need an experienced juvenile crime attorney in Tucson, AZ. Attorney Janet Altschuler has decades of experience helping clients fight juvenile crime charges, and can help you understand the charges your child is facing, the possible defenses, and the potential outcomes or penalties your child may face. Call us today at 520-247-1789 or 520-200-5003 to schedule a free consultation or find out more information about how we can defend your child against juvenile crime charges.

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