The alleged victim doesn’t get to decide whether or not charges get filed, but they can influence the prosecution’s decision. If someone reports your child to the police for a crime, and the police arrest your child, call us right away.

We may stop charges from being filed if we can explain your child’s whereabouts during the alleged offense or provide an alternative explanation. Even if charges are filed, they may get dropped if the alleged victim recants their statement or does not want to cooperate with the prosecution. Make sure your child is present at all court appearances, and tell them not to discuss the case without anyone else. Let us start working on their defense right away so their future isn’t permanently affected.

For a free case evaluation, call our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers at the Liberty Law Team today at (215) 826-3314.

What Should I Do if Someone Presses Charges Against My Child in Philadelphia?

If someone presses charges against your child, prioritize their future and call our attorneys immediately. We can review the reason for their arrest, stop them from speaking with law enforcement, and explain the upcoming charges. We may also stop charges from getting filed when we provide alternative explanations to law enforcement.

Avoid Police Questioning

Do not let your child speak to the police without you or our lawyers present. Anyone might be upset and confused by an arrest, especially a minor. Police officers may legally speak to a minor without a parent present in Pennsylvania, but not if the minor has asked for their parents or attorney. If your child did and that request was denied, anything they said afterward would be inadmissible.

Your child may want to defend themselves and might inadvertently hurt their case, so warn them against talking to the police without us there to answer for them.

Call Our Attorneys

As soon as you learn that someone is pressing charges against your child, call our lawyers. We can explain what the charges mean and the possible consequences they bring. Juveniles do not get convicted of crimes like adults but become “adjudicated delinquents.” This still has consequences, which our Bucks County criminal defense lawyers may prevent or mitigate.

If your child is arrested and charged in Pennsylvania, you may retain our attorneys on their behalf. Even if your child is a minor, they can keep conversations between us and them private, though many juvenile defendants want their parents involved.

Your child has the right to confidential conversations with their attorney, even if you are paying as the parent.

Even if your child has not been arrested, but the police want to question them informally, you can call us to protect their interests.

Why Did Someone Press Charges Against My Child?

If someone presses charges against your child, that means they went to the police and filed a report, and the prosecutor has agreed to file the charges against you in court.

People may report juveniles to the police for assault, vandalism, theft, robbery, and sex crimes. The alleged victims do not have the final say in whether or not charges get filed, but they can approach law enforcement and initiate an investigation.

Even if someone has accused your child of a crime, they may recant their statement to law enforcement. Without a complaining witness, it is much harder for the prosecution to prove their case, especially for assault, domestic violence, or sex offenses.

We can determine what led to the arrest, what the specific charges are, and what evidence law enforcement has. We can quickly answer your most pressing questions and ensure your child is not kept in police custody for any longer than necessary.

What to Do to Get the Charges Against My Child Dropped in Philadelphia

The charges against your child may be dropped or the case dismissed with our attorneys’ help. The prosecutor decides whether or not to drop the charges, though the judge can dismiss the case.

Suppressing much of the prosecution’s evidence may cause them to drop the charges. We may challenge evidence obtained through illegal search and seizure, coerced confessions or statements, and anything else that would lead to an unfair verdict.

Judges may dismiss cases for insufficient evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, or violations of the defendant’s rights. Dismissing the case is different from a mistrial. If the case is dismissed, the charges are dropped. If the judge declares a mistrial, the case may be retried. Mistrials most commonly occur when jurors cannot agree, and prosecutors may or may not retry the case with a new jury.

What Should I Do During My Child’s Trial in Philadelphia?

Your child’s trial will likely be held in juvenile court unless they are tried as an adult for a violent crime. The juvenile court focuses on rehabilitation rather than detention. As we prepare your child’s case and get ready for trial, you can focus on their well-being.

Your child will be released to your custody for the trial, and you may not have to post bail since they are a juvenile. Parents can help by ensuring their children are present at all mandatory court appearances.

Anyone facing criminal charges may be frightened, especially minors. Offer your child emotional support, and warn them against discussing the case with anyone other than our lawyers. They should not talk about their charges with friends, at school, or online, as that could hurt their defense.

Minors get bench trials in Pennsylvania, not jury trials. That means the judge decides guilt. Even if your child is found guilty and becomes an adjudicated delinquent, they may not be sentenced to detention, especially if this is their first offense.

Call Our Philadelphia Defense Attorneys Today

Get a free case review by calling the Delaware County, PA criminal defense lawyers of the Liberty Law Team today at (215) 826-3314.