A 16-year-old Schuylkill County resident faces charges after allegedly assaulting a teenager with a bat. Officers with the Freeland Police Department arrested Christopher J. Kreimendahl after responding to an incident at Freeland Public Park. Despite Kreimendahl's age, he may be charged and tried as an adult.

Parents must consider this when their children are arrested. Even if your child is a minor, they could still face serious legal consequences after an arrest. Factors such as your child's age, whether they used a weapon when allegedly committing a crime, and other aggravating factors can influence how the court approaches their case.

Don't let an alleged mistake jeopardize your child's future. At the LLF Law Firm, our Criminal Defense Team can help you and your child navigate the legal road ahead. Get started today by contacting us through our online form or calling us at 888-535-3686 for more information.

Planned Fight Leads to Alleged Assault With Bat

According to reports, two juvenile females met in Freeland last June for the purposes of a physical fight. The two had allegedly been involved in an ongoing dispute. Allegedly, while the juvenile females approached each other, the victim displayed a knife and made a comment indicating they had a knife in their possession or both.

A witness stated Kreimendahl responded by approaching the victim and striking her in the head with a bat. Officers say the other female then met with them at the police station. During her conversation with officers, she made it clear her brother was the one to strike the victim with the bat, not her.

Per the criminal complaint, Kreimendahl told officers he struck the victim with a bat due to feeling threatened. The extent to which this argument will influence Kreimendahl's future defense remains unclear.

Severe Injuries Affect Legal Approach to Case

Court documents state the victim was transported to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment. According to police, because this was a severe assault case, Kreimendahl will likely be tried as an adult.

It's possible for minors to be tried as adults in Pennsylvania for various reasons. For example, due to Pennsylvania's Statutory Exclusion rule, a minor who is at least 15 years of age may always be charged and tried as an adult for crimes like aggravated assault or various crimes involving the use of deadly weapons.

Contact a Lawyer When Your Child Has Been Arrested

Contacting legal professionals after your child has been arrested is critical regardless of whether they're likely to be charged as an adult or a juvenile. Lawyers can help by:

• Speaking on your child's behalf so they're less likely to make incriminating statements
• Identifying weaknesses in the case against your child
• If your child has a valid alibi, helping to establish it
• Negotiating a plea deal with the prosecution and court, if necessary
• Citing various relevant factors to demonstrate why sentencing should be lenient

At the LLF Law Firm, attorneys with our Criminal Defense Team will ensure your child's rights are protected throughout an investigation. Learn more about what we can do by calling us at 888-535-3686 or contacting us through our online form.