The moment you are informed that your child has been arrested is a terrifying moment for parents. It can be devastating and heartbreaking to realize that your child has committed a crime and may now be in serious trouble. To make matters worse, if your child is close to 18 years of age, prosecutors may choose to charge your child as an adult. When this occurs, what you do in those initial moments following your child’s arrest can make a huge difference to the outcome of your child’s case.
Stay Calm—while your parental instincts may be to lash out at the arresting officer or your child, doing so will only make matters worse. Try your best to remain calm and focused during the arrest and shortly thereafter.
Contact a Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney—immediately after your child is arrested, contact a juvenile criminal defense attorney. Your child’s attorney will be able to coach him or her on how to deal with the police and to how to avoid incriminating themselves.
Avoid Speaking to the Police Yourself—do not answer any questions about your child’s whereabouts or the crime and avoid speaking to the police until your lawyer is present. Police agents often try to use the parents’ concern for their child as leverage in interrogation cases.
Begin Collecting Character Witnesses—once your child’s lawyer has been retained, begin a list of character witnesses your attorney can use in court. This could include teachers, coaches, or other upstanding adults.
Take a Step Back—once your child’s legal needs are being met by an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney, take a step back and breathe. Remember that your child is likely very scared and concerned and now is the time to show them how much they are loved. Try to offer your child support during this difficult time and let them know that you are in their corner. This does not mean you have to condone the criminal action, it simply means that it is okay to let your child know that he or she is loved and has a support system to rely on. Even though you may be mad that your child made a mistake, turning your back on them now will only make matters worse and will have long-lasting emotional effects on your child’s life.
Denver Juvenile Defense Attorney Steven Louth has successfully represented accused juveniles and their families in Denver and throughout Colorado. He understands that your child’s future and freedom are at stake, and as such; he is always ready to fight the tough fight.
If your child has been arrested and charged with a crime in Denver, Boulder, or anywhere in Colorado, call Steven Louth Law Offices at 303-442-2297 today for a free case evaluation. No matter how serious the charges are against you, there are ways to fight them. Call today!