Lincoln Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyers

Experienced and Respected Representation

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a juvenile crime, it is essential that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. Juvenile crimes are very different from adult crimes and carry very different penalties. Juveniles are not treated as adults in the court system and their cases are often handled very differently. A juvenile crime conviction can have lasting consequences for the rest of the person's life, so it is imperative that you enlist the help of a competent and experienced juvenile crimes lawyer.

At Dowding, Dowding, Dowding & Urbom, our Lincoln juvenile crime defense attorneys have spent years defending clients against juvenile crime charges. We have helped countless juveniles avoid juvenile crime charges and have helped them get back their lives. If you are facing juvenile crime charges, we can help you too.

Schedule a free case review with our Lincoln juvenile crime defense attorneys at (308) 300-4172 or online.

What Is Considered a Juvenile Crime?

Juvenile crimes are crimes that are committed by a person who is under the age of 18. In Nebraska, a person is considered a juvenile until their 19th birthday. A juvenile who commits a crime is not considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Juvenile crimes are handled differently from adult crimes and the penalties for juvenile crimes are different from those for adult crimes.

In Nebraska, the most common juvenile crimes are:

• Misdemeanors: Misdemeanors are crimes that are punishable by less than one year in jail. Misdemeanors are usually crimes that are considered to be less serious than felonies, such as theft, vandalism, or assault.
• Felonies: Felonies are crimes that are punishable by more than one year in jail. Felonies are usually more serious crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, or drug trafficking.

How Are Juvenile Crimes Punished?

In Nebraska, the punishment for a juvenile crime depends on the seriousness of the crime and the juvenile's past criminal history. Juveniles who commit a crime are usually tried in juvenile court. In Nebraska, the judge in a juvenile court case is not allowed to send a juvenile to jail. Instead, a judge can choose to place a juvenile in a juvenile correctional facility or a community-based program.

The length of time a juvenile is placed in a juvenile correctional facility or a community-based program depends on the seriousness of the crime. It is possible for a juvenile to be placed in a juvenile correctional facility for up to three years for a serious crime. If a juvenile has been convicted of a crime before, the judge can choose to send the juvenile to a juvenile correctional facility for up to five years. A judge can also choose to place a juvenile in a community-based program for a period of time instead of sending them to a correctional facility.

In addition to being placed in a juvenile correctional facility or a community-based program, a judge can choose to place a number of other restrictions on a juvenile. It is possible for a judge to choose to place a number of restrictions on a juvenile, such as prohibiting the juvenile from associating with a gang or prohibiting the juvenile from possessing a firearm.

What Are the Penalties for an Adult Crime in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, the penalties for an adult crime depend on the seriousness of the crime and the criminal history of the person who committed the crime. In Nebraska, the judge in an adult court case is allowed to send a person to jail. The length of time a person can be sent to jail for an adult crime is different from the length of time a juvenile can be sent to jail. In Nebraska, the most a person can be sent to jail for an adult crime is 20 years.

In addition to being sent to jail, an adult who is convicted of a crime can be ordered to pay fines. The amount of the fines an adult can be ordered to pay depends on the seriousness of the crime. It is possible for a person to be ordered to pay fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a serious crime. In addition to being sent to jail and paying fines, an adult can be ordered to perform community service hours and can be given probation.

Contact Our Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a juvenile crime, it is imperative that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our Lincoln juvenile crime defense attorneys have handled thousands of cases and have helped countless individuals avoid juvenile crime convictions. We have handled cases involving misdemeanor and felony charges and can help you too.

To learn more about how we can help, contact us at (308) 300-4172.