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- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Dorm Room Searches – Can University Police Search My Dorm Room?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles Denied The Right To Jury Trial In Most Cases – 19-2-107
- If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents From A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Is My Child Just Bad – Or Does He Have A Conduct Disorder – Defenses & Sentencing In Colorado Juvenile Law Cases
- Colorado Juvenile Drug Crimes Defense – Fighting The Urge To Answer Police Questions – Those Are Not My Drugs
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles With Mental Health Issues – Important Issues To Understand
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – I Am Now An Adult – How Can I Be Prosecuted in Juvenile Court?
- Avoiding Colorado Criminal Convictions – The Impact Of A Criminal History On College Applications
- Colorado Criminal Law – The Fraudulent Use Of Fake Or Phony ID’s By Underage Kids – What’s The Law?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Why Children In Colorado Juvenile Court Should Be Unshackled – Unchained
- Colorado Juvenile Law – Lowest Age Before You Can Be Charged In Juvenile Court
- Colorado Criminal Law – Can The Police Detain Me While A Search Warrant Is Executed?
- Your Daughter Has Been Arrested – What Is The Impact On Her? – Colorado Juvenile Law
- Colorado Criminal Juvenile Law – Why Using Facebook Can Be A Very Dangerous Thing To Do
- In Colorado – Can The Police Question My Child Without My Permission?
- 2016 Update – Questioning Juveniles In Colorado Criminal Investigations – Miranda Rights
- A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Often Represents “At Risk” Kids
- Kids, Guns, And Colorado Juvenile Law – A Dangerous Combination Section 18-12-108.5
- Colorado Criminal Law – Did My Child Just Confess At The School?
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding Searches Of Juveniles In Schools
- Understanding Colorado Minor In Possession (MIP) Cases – C.R.S. 18-13-122 – Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Series
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- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Arrest – Summons
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- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – The Charging Decision – Plea Bargaining Part I of II
- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – How Is The Case To Be Charged – Plea Bargaining Part II of II
- Colorado Juvenile Diversion Programs 19-1- 103(44) – An Important Warning – Speedy Trial – Statute of Limitations 6-5-401(1)(a)
- Colorado Juvenile Sentencing Part 2 – The Direct File Juvenile Offender Law
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If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents
By Colorado Juvenile Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg
If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents
If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case Some Tips For Parents – Children will always surprise us. All children on occasion may do dangerous or even stupid things. It is not uncommon for any son and daughter to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and with the wrong friends.
Some Common Sense Suggestions
1. Understand first that the police are NOT on your or your child’ s side – they have an agenda – they are charged with finding out the facts. The truth is – the police should be completely independent of any side or sides but they are not. They should be independent investigators of the facts. The police are tasked to investigate – open a case – then “clear” that case by either making an arrest, issuing a summons or closing the case as unfounded.
3. While you should never speak to the police without a lawyer – that does not mean you should not be cooperative in all other respects. We all know that manners and cooperation go a long way in life.
4. If you and your child choose -as you should – NOT to speak to the police – keep these things in mind:
If you talk to the investigators – whomever they are – always be respectful, polite, and courteous.
Do not call them names… do not disrespect them in any way. Stay calm and do not “jump to any conclusions.” Do not exaggerate your child’s characteristics – his or her accomplishments – do not act defensive in any way. If there is any possibility your child is guilty -do not minimize what they may have done. In short – be as objective as possible.
5. Juveniles under investigation must at least provide identifying information – their name, address or phone number and that of their parents and or guardians. You and your child cannot “remain anonymous.” Give the police a way to locate and contact you.
6. If asked about your vehicle – provide the necessary and standard information – driver’s license, registration and insurance. There is no right to keep this secret. However if the investigation involves driving – assert your child’s right to a lawyer and do not answer that question. The lawyer will advise you as t what to do – this is especially if this is a traffic accident investigation.
7. Determine your child’s custodial status. Ask the officer – “is my child free to go?” If the officer says “Yes,” leave. If your child is being detained. – ask for the identification and or the license of the officer. Also ask for the report number assigned to the investigation.
8. Teach your child the following – and make sure they understand. If they are asked for any other factual information about the case – politely say, “I am very sorry, but my parents have told me if I am questioned by the police, I am to say nothing but my name. I want to get a lawyer. I will not answer any more questions. Please call my parents.” If your child is in custody and says, “I want a lawyer,” under state of Colorado and United States Constitutional law – the police must stop asking questions.
Your child should say these words and nothing more.
This may seem simple – it is not. These words are very difficult to say – but they are critical and they are magic. They end the danger taken from your child of any statements that may incriminate the child. Saying these words are among the most important words your child may ever utter in their lives.
If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents
9. The police intimidate – that’s what they do. They will try anything to get your child to talk – lie – tease – act as if they are old friends… anything and everything. Children are easy “marks” for the police – so go over and over the magic words…”I am very sorry, but my parents have told me if I am questioned by the police, I am to say nothing but my name. I want to get a lawyer. I will not answer any more questions. Please call my parents.” The police will use techniques like “I just need to get YOUR side of the story…” Help your child to be ready.. in advance.
10. You will be shocked at how little say you have in your child’s decisions. Your rights as parents are limited. The police can contact and question your child without your being present. If your child is in custody – detained – under arrest – you have a right to be present to assist your child with the Miranda Rights and the decision to answer or not answer questions.
11. As a parent – do not play as if you are a lawyer. Call a competent lawyer – day or night. If you ask your child what happened – you become a witness. There is no parent-child privilege… as there is between a husband and wife, a doctor and patient, or a pastor and congregationalist.
Resist the temptation to “question” your child. Parents – trying to do the right thing – can actually hurt their child’s case.
12. Resist the temptation to instruct your child to “just tell the truth” to these nice officers. The decision to do that may be the worst decision you ever make. Your son or daughter is looking to you for guidance. You are not a juvenile criminal lawyer… your child will most likely say anything to please you, the police, or to end the stress of the investigation.
13. A good lawyer – one that you trust – will be worth the fees you pay him or her. The lawyer, not you, will take over the case. The lawyer, not you, will talk with the police investigator and later the DA. The lawyer will answer your many questions and will keep you informed of the investigation and what it all means. And perhaps most importantly – the night of the arrest – if your child is held in custody – the lawyer has the right to an immediate ” professional visit” at the juvenile detention center – you do not. Later the lawyer is “charged” with getting your child released from detention (custody) if that is possible under Colorado juvenile law.
14. Your child’s future may depend on the decisions you make. It will be worth paying a reasonable legal fee to help close the case – and later- expunge it. If the case is expunged – the law views it as if it never happened. The case will remain only a bad memory for all of you. Good Luck.
If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – : H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author at hmichaelsteinberg@colorado-juvenile-crimes-lawyer or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-7777.
If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about [shoplifting or grand theft], please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue as in this article – If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents.
Other Articles of Interest:
- In Colorado – Can The Police Question My Child Without My Permission?
- 2016 Update – Questioning Juveniles In Colorado Criminal Investigations – Miranda Rights
- Your Daughter Has Been Arrested – What Is The Impact On Her? – Colorado Juvenile Law
- Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
- The Arrest of Juveniles In Colorado – Colorado Criminal Juvenile Law Part I of II
