We at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., cannot stress this enough—if your child is arrested or contacted by police, call an experienced attorney immediately. The period right after arrest is vital for many reasons, including protecting your child from making harmful statements. The right attorney will know what to do to best protect your child while he or she is in the hands of the law.
In light of that, here is some general advice that we hope helps you prepare for the possibility of your child’s arrest. Please keep in mind that the following is not a complete guide for what to do and your child’s situation may require additional actions. Please contact our office as soon as possible to speak with a member of our team immediately.
Know What You Can and Can’t Control
We all want the best for our children, but sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Young people often act impulsively without foresight of the consequences or are simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless of the circumstances that led up to your child getting into trouble, do not blame yourself. Remember, this is not a time to lay blame or to lash out at your child. You don’t know the whole story yet, so try to remain neutral.
Support First, Ask Questions Later
Getting arrested is one of the most stressful things that can happen to an adult. That stress and anxiety is multiplied for juveniles. It is also a very difficult time for caring parents. If your child gets arrested for a drug offense, theft, or other crime, you’ll probably feel overwhelmed. Please, stay calm and don’t judge your child. Your child needs your support right now more than ever. Your child has a right to remain silent and you, as a parent, must be present and waive that right before police can question your child. Until you speak to an attorney, do not assume that the police will be understanding or want to help your child. Call us first.
Your child might not have understood that what happened was a crime, or might be completely innocent—being around the “wrong crowd” can lead the law to conclude “guilt by association.” That is not right.
Get Expert Help
Contact a criminal defense attorney who knows the ins and outs of the juvenile justice system. Our attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., will guide your child through the case by protecting him or her from making harmful statement to the police. We will come up with a strategy for attacking the case so that a youthful indiscretion does not have long-term ramifications. Be aware that law enforcement officers do try to use parents’ concerns for their child as leverage during interviews. While you and your child cannot undo the past, you can and should speak with our team before speaking with police.
Once you have retained a lawyer, make note of character witnesses who would be prepared to speak for your child in court. These could be teachers, members of your church, coaches, or other upstanding members of your community. Also, try to think of any community activities that involve your child.
Trust the Professionals
Now that you have found your child an experienced juvenile attorney, you can relax a little. Your child is most likely very scared, so show your child that you will not turn your back on him or her. You do not have to condone any criminal actions, but it is important to let your child know that he or she is loved. That way, you can work through this together.
This situation could have long-term emotional effects on your child’s life. If your child is ever arrested, contact our experienced juvenile defense attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. There is no time to waste, so call (719) 475-2555. We will stand by your child and ensure that his or her voice is clearly heard.