Will My Teen Have to Go Through a Trial After Facing Charges in Fort Myers?

If your teen faces criminal charges in Fort Myers, you might be wondering whether they will have to go through a public trial. You may have heard that these trials can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Is there any way to avoid this outcome? This is something you might want to discuss with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Trials Can Be Challenging for Teens

Trials can be challenging for all defendants, but teens might struggle more than others to navigate this legal process. Teenagers tend to find it more difficult to control their emotions, manage outbursts, and respect the authority of the court. This can make a bad situation worse. Because of the high-stakes nature of a trial, the families of the teenagers involved may also get into altercations and cause further problems.

Strategies for Avoiding Trials in Fort Myers Criminal Cases

If you’re serious about avoiding a trial for juvenile crimes in Fort Myers, a few strategies may prove useful. First, you could work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to get the charges dropped before the trial begins. In order to achieve this, you will need to cause the prosecutors to doubt their chances of winning the case. You may do this by challenging their evidence, gathering your own evidence, and raising constitutional objections. If the prosecutors lose faith in their ability to win, they may enter a “nolle prosequi” into the record.

Another strategy involves pleading guilty. If your teen accepts the blame for whatever they have been accused of doing, there is no need for a trial. Many defendants plead guilty when they realize that their chances of winning their cases are rather slim. This strategy may open the door to “plea deals,” and this may allow your teen to experience a lighter, more lenient sentence. However, there is no guarantee that the prosecutors will offer this type of deal.

A similar strategy is to enter a plea of “nolle contendere” (no contest). This is very similar to pleading guilty, but without formally admitting fault. Your family may prefer this type of plea if there is a chance of a civil lawsuit in the future based on the alleged crime.

Trials Are Often Necessary

Despite the fact that trials can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful, they are often necessary. Sometimes, a trial is a teen’s best chance of achieving a positive outcome. If you’re serious about striving for positive outcomes on behalf of your teen, a trial might be in their best interests.

Can a Fort Myers Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Help Me?

If you want to keep your teen and the entire family out of the courtroom, consider discussing your unique situation with an experienced juvenile crimes lawyer in Fort Myers. While various strategies can help avoid a trial, sometimes this process is necessary if you’re serious about preventing your child from facing legal consequences. Continue this conversation with The Foley & Wilson Law Firm by contacting us at 239-690-6080.

Sources: 

winknews.com/news/lee/judge-releases-jury-pool-after-commotion-between-families-at-murder-trial/article_df7e931f-9058-40bd-a2e3-157ab9a030a5.html

winknews.com/news/lee/jury-selection-resumes-for-cape-coral-teen-charged-in-death-of-15-year-old-girl/article_b10257ba-59ce-4c21-a6e1-1ef0af54882d.html