My Child Has Been Charged With A Drug Crime, What Do I Do?
The most recent Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) shows a marked downturn in drug and alcohol use among students in the state. However, minors still get caught with illicit substances at roughly the same frequency, and just like with adults, they tend to be prosecuted harshly. Florida handles drug-related cases extremely aggressively, and if your child has been charged with a drug-related crime, it is crucial to enlist a knowledgeable attorney as quickly as possible.
Juvenile Or Adult Court
Florida tends to handle juvenile offenders less aggressively than their adult counterparts, but even being adjudicated delinquent (basically, found guilty) in juvenile court still means consequences that can put a wrench in your child’s future plans. Regardless of the age of the defendant, Florida treats drug offenses as a crime against society because of the havoc drugs have caused in the state.
If a juvenile has prior history in the legal system, or if a particularly large amount of illicit substances is involved in the current charges, it is possible that a state’s attorney would refer the case to adult court, for the defendant to be tried as an adult. However, the majority of cases involving minors are handled in juvenile court, which focuses far more on rehabilitation than punishment.
More Options For Minors
If your child has never been in trouble with the law before, know that Florida has several different options for first-time offenders – and some specifically for juvenile offenders – that may help them to avoid a delinquent adjudication. One of the most commonly-used options in these cases is admission to pretrial diversion programs, such as drug court (available in almost every county, including Palm Beach). Another is for the judge to choose to withhold adjudication, which prevents a conviction showing up on a juvenile’s record.
If, for some reason, your child is convicted or pushed to plead guilty, Florida also offers expanded options for minors to have their records sealed or expunged when they reach the age of 21. While this is not the ideal option, it is a last-ditch choice that can still sometimes help to put a minor back on the right path.
Contact A West Palm Beach Juvenile Drug Possession Attorney
It can be frightening when one’s child is charged with a crime. However, all does not need to be lost – a West Palm Beach drug crimes attorney from the firm of Perlet & Shiner, P.A. will work hard to protect your child’s rights. Call our office today at (561) 721-0552 to speak to an attorney.
Source:
myflfamilies.com/sites/default/files/2025-06/2023%20Florida%20Youth%20Substance%20Abuse%20Survey%20Statewide%20Report.pdf
