Dedicated Representation for Juvenile Offenders
Experienced Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney in East Tennessee
When a person under 18 years of age commits a crime in the state of Tennessee, they are typically charged as a juvenile and tried in juvenile court. Juvenile offenses include all types of crimes, including traffic offenses, drug charges, sex offenses, and other serious felonies like sexual assault and murder. Although juveniles are subjected to a different judicial system than adults, they can still face serious penalties and costly consequences that could potentially affect their future.
At the law firm of Patrick L. Looper, Attorney at Law, we represent juveniles charged with these crimes in East Tennessee and the Greater Knoxville area. In order to exercise all of your legal options and provide the best chance for success in your case, it is important to get experienced and knowledgeable representation that will protect your interests.
Zero Tolerance in Tennessee Schools
Many of the cases involving juvenile crimes that criminal defense lawyer Patrick Looper has handled have occurred in an in-school environment. Every school in Tennessee has a "zero tolerance" policy that dictates what consequences a student will face for certain offenses that occur on school property. A single violation of the zero tolerance policy will typically result in expulsion from school and appropriate criminal charges. Offenses that qualify as a zero tolerance offense include:
- Offenses involving drugs and drug paraphernalia
- Assault of a teacher, student or other person
- Possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons
Being Charged as an Adult or a Juvenile
The juvenile court system is a much better place to be than the adult court system. While the focus of the adult court system is largely the punishment of those convicted of a crime, the main focus of the juvenile court system is the rehabilitation of the child in hopes that he or she will still grow into a responsible, law abiding adult. One of the main advantages of being tried as a juvenile is that juveniles often have their court records sealed to the public, so that the offenses will not follow them around for the rest of their life.
In recent years, however, more juveniles are being charged as an adult. Tennessee law provides the factors for whether a child may be charged as an adult. It is important to find an attorney that is knowledgeable with the juvenile court system and knows when it is appropriate to work with the prosecutor and the various agencies within the Juvenile court system to reach a favorable outcome and will preserve your rights as a juvenile. We will help to secure your future and minimize or eliminate the negative impact on your child's life.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation. We accept Visa and MasterCard and can be reached by telephone at 865-522-3616.
