In 2017, the Pennsylvania juvenile courts received 24,800 allegations of delinquency. This was approximately a 4% increase over the previous year. Juvenile delinquency offenses overwhelmingly involve males, as this was the case in roughly 75% of allegations in 2017.
|
Pennsylvania Juvenile Offenses in 2017 |
Number |
Percentage |
|
Person |
7,175 |
28.9% |
|
Property |
5,411 |
21.8% |
|
Drug-Related |
3,969 |
16% |
|
Other |
8,245 |
33.2% |
In Bucks County in 2017, there were 737 new cases of juvenile delinquency received. The Juvenile Court is responsible for handling these matters. Of the 737 new cases, 168 of them involved felony offenses, 519 were misdemeanors, and 50 were minor summary offenses.
Juvenile Court Rules
The Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure were implemented by the state's Supreme Court in Article V of the Constitution or Pennsylvania. A juvenile is defined as someone who is between the ages of 10 and 17. If a juvenile offender is found to be delinquent before reaching the age of 18, they may be subject to juvenile supervision and sanctions up until the age of 21.
Acts of Delinquency
Acts of delinquency are essentially crimes that are committed by minors. Juveniles accused of delinquency have a right to be notified of the charges, a right to legal counsel, and to have a parent or counsel present for any related questioning. Pennsylvania, as with most states, generally tries to rehabilitate juvenile offenders; however, harsh penalties may be imposed for serious offenses. The Bucks County Public Defender's Office will provide legal counsel for those who lack resources.
After an Arrest
When a juvenile is placed under arrest, administrators will assess the severity of the charges and whether the child is a safety risk. A parent or guardian must be notified following an arrest. In most cases, the youth will be released to their parents. If the juvenile had an active arrest warrant or is alleged to have committed a serious offense, they may be detained until their upcoming court appearance. Law enforcement may have the child photographed and fingerprinted. A written allegation initiates delinquency proceedings. Keep in mind that serious offenses can lead to a juvenile being tried as an adult.
Juvenile Hearing
The juvenile will generally go before a judge, magistrate, or hearing master. These hearings are generally not open to the public. An intake representative from the probation department may make recommendations based on their assessment. There are four primary possibilities for these matters as follows:
- Dismissal: The case may be dismissed by the court.
- Informal Adjustment: One form of diversionary action where the juvenile will remain at their home and be placed under the supervision of the probation office.
- Consent Decree: The probation department may recommend that a delinquency petition is filed; however, these proceedings can be suspended under a probation plan. A formal adjudication is avoided, but the record of an arrest may remain.
- Adjudication: The petition of formal delinquency is filed and a formal Adjudication Hearing will be held in front of a judge.
Importance of Retaining an Experienced Attorney
If your child has been arrested for a criminal offense it is critical to consult with a seasoned defense lawyer. Although delinquency adjudication is a juvenile offense, it may have longer-term consequences. Juvenile records could still create future problems that relate to employment, military eligibility, educational opportunities, and more.
Criminal Defense Attorney for Juvenile Offenses in Bucks County
The attorneys at the LLF Law Firm have spent years representing juveniles who have allegedly committed criminal offenses in Pennsylvania. With seasoned legal counsel, your child may avoid placement in a juvenile detention facility and a potential criminal record. Contact the office today for a consultation at (888) 535-3686.
