In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Colorado any person 10 years old or older can face criminal charges. The crimes remain the same no matter the age of the person accused. What does change is the handling of the case. When a child (anyone under the age of 18) is accused of a crime, it is usually handled in Juvenile Court. While juvenile court follows a different standard than adult court, you should still consult a criminal defense attorney who specializes in juvenile defense if your child is facing criminal charges. There is so much at stake when your child is facing criminal charges.
The Difference Between Juvenile Court and Adult Court in Larimer County
The difference between Larimer County Juvenile Court and Adult Court boils down to the goal of the Courts. For adults, the goal is to be punitive. It’s usually all about punishing someone for their choices. Luckily, juveniles are viewed differently by the court. The main goal in most juvenile cases is rehabilitation. The court takes into consideration the age of child and the lack of life experience. They recognize that kids make mistakes, are easily swayed, and don’t think through the potential consequences of their actions. But, because of their age, they are also seen as more receptive to rehabilitation and restoration – meaning, we can try and nip this bad behavior in the bud now. There is also a general mentality that one poor decision (or even a string of poor decisions) shouldn’t follow a child for the rest of their life.
Some Commonly Charged Juvenile Crimes in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park
A crime is a crime in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. Any illegal action will result in criminal charges, whether committed by a teenager or an adult. There is not a different set of criminal charges for adults and then another for juveniles. While there are a few crimes that have specific rules related to ages (i.e. Minor in Possession or Possession of a Private Image by a Juvenile), most crimes are applicable whether you are 10 or 100.
Here is a list of some common crimes that juveniles can be charged with:
- Criminal Mischief (Property Damage) – C.R.S. 18-4-501
- Trespassing – C.R.S. 18-4-504
- Disorderly Conduct (Disturbing the Peace) – C.R.S. 18-9-106
- Theft (Shoplifting) – C.R.S. 18-4-401
- Harassment – C.R.S. 18-9-111
- Assault – C.R.S. 18-3-204
- Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-203
- Unlawful Sexual Contact – C.R.S. 18-3-404
- Minor in Possession – C.R.S. 18-13-122
- Sexting (Posting, Possession, or Exchange of a Private Image by a Juvenile) – C.R.S. 18-7-109
- Sexual Assault – C.R.S. 18-3-402
Contact O’Malley Law Office for Your Child’s Larimer County Juvenile Criminal Case
At O’Malley Law Office, our #1 goal with juvenile cases is to protect your child’s future. Whether that means fighting the criminal charges at trial or working out a deal that would keep your child out of custody and even allow them to expunge the record down the line. Your child will need zealous advocacy through this process, and that’s exactly what we will provide.
If your child has been charged with a crime, be smart, exercise their right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click HERE to visit our Weld County website. Together, we can protect your future.
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