Common Questions About the Juvenile Justice System in Illinois

 Posted on February 19, 2020 in Juvenile Crimes

When children get into trouble with the law and face common charges such as retail theft, parents often do not know what will happen next, or what rights their child has. They have a lot of questions and, if your child has recently been charged with a crime, it is likely that you have asked them, as well. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and the answers to them.

What is the Age of a Juvenile?

In Illinois, anyone that is 17 years old or younger is considered a juvenile if they have been charged with a misdemeanor offense. This law was changed in January of 2010 to increase the age from 16 to 17. The age limit for juveniles is a topic the Illinois legislature continues to debate.

How Long Can My Child be Detained After an Arrest?

The length of time a child is held in custody after being arrested for a crime can seem interminable to parents. If your child is under the age of 12, law enforcement can detain them for no longer than six hours. Children between the age of 12 and 17 can be kept up to 12 hours if they have been accused of committing a non-violent crime, and up to 24 hours if they have been charged with a violent crime.

Can Police Question My Child if I am Not Present?

There is a widely held misconception in Illinois that law enforcement are prohibited from questioning a juvenile without one of the child’s parents being present. This is not true. After a child’s arrest, law enforcement must make reasonable attempts to contact at least one of the child’s parents. If they do not reach you, they can contact another responsible adult to be present.

Although police must make this attempt, they are not required to wait until your arrival to begin questioning your child. They also do not require your permission to question your child. However, a youth officer must be present.

Will My Child be Tried in Adult Court?

Of all the questions asked about the juvenile system in Illinois, this is perhaps the one parents ask the most. Being tried in adult court is, of course, the worst-case scenario since a conviction will have harsher sentences and can result in a minor spending time in prison with adults.

Whether or not a juvenile is tried in adult court largely depends on the nature of the alleged crime. When a minor is accused of a misdemeanor crime and is 17 years old or younger, they will most likely be tried in juvenile court. Minors accused of committing a felony offense will usually remain in the juvenile system only if they are 16 years old or younger.

Is Your Child Facing Charges? Call Our Illinois Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Learning that your child has been charged with a crime is an incredibly upsetting experience. You are feeling anger, frustration, and sadness, and likely also have many questions about what will happen next. At the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley, our skilled Rolling Meadows juvenile defense lawyer can answer them all. Attorney Cosley has extensive experience with the juvenile justice system in Illinois. He understands how to navigate it to give you and your child the best chance of a positive outcome. Call us today at 847-253-3100 to schedule your free consultation.

Source:

http://ijjc.illinois.gov/publications/raising-age-fact-sheet