It can be hard to handle juvenile crime cases, but there are a number of defenses that can help lower or get rid of charges. Many juveniles aren’t fully aware of what they’re doing, which makes intent a very important part of their case. Peer pressure, mental health, and false charges are some of the other things that can help you build a strong case.
Houston has a big and varied population, with a lot of young people living there. The city’s court system understands that juvenile cases are different and offers different ways to sentence people. Instead of harsh punishments, many young offenders can benefit from rehabilitation programs.
A good Houston juvenile defense attorney can figure out the best way to defend a minor who is being accused of a crime. Here are some of the defenses they might use.
Lack of Intent
Intent is needed for a lot of crimes, which means the person must have meant to do the act. Teenagers and young adults often act without thinking about what might happen. This argument claims the child didn’t mean to do anything wrong, which can be very important in cases like theft or vandalism.
Coercion or Peer Pressure
Teenagers are very affected by what their friends do, which can make them do things they wouldn’t normally do. If a juvenile was pressured or made to do something wrong, this can be used as a defense. The court might look into whether an older person or a group of older people manipulated the minor to do the wrong thing.
Mistaken Identity
Witnesses can be wrong, especially when they are under a lot of stress. A lot of teens are mistakenly identified as suspects because witnesses don’t give accurate information or the police don’t follow the right steps. If there is proof that the minor wasn’t where the crime happened, the charges may be dropped.
Self-Defense
Teenagers and young adults can use physical force to protect themselves or others. There may be a legal argument for a minor who got into a fight but only acted in self-defense. The court will decide if the amount of force used was reasonable in the given situation.
False Accusations
Teenagers are sometimes wrongly accused of crimes because of confusion or personal problems. To disprove false claims, it is important to get evidence like alibis, witness statements, or surveillance tape. By proving a false charge, a person can be found not guilty or have their case thrown out.
Not Enough Evidence
The prosecutor has to prove that a juvenile is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense can ask for the case to be thrown out if there is weak or insufficient evidence. If you question the reliability of the evidence, like witness statements that you can’t trust, this can weaken the case against the juvenile.
Problems with Mental Health
Some teens and young adults have mental health problems that aren’t being identified or treated, which affects how they act. This can be used as a defense if the child has ADHD, anxiety, or a history of trauma. Some mental health experts may be able to prove in court that the minor did not fully understand what they were doing.