If your child has been accused of a crime, you may feel confused and heartbroken. How could your son or daughter have ended up in this situation? What taught them that this kind of behavior is okay?
Common life experiences among juvenile offenders
Psychologists have studied the causes of juvenile delinquency for decades. Of course, every child’s life and ways of dealing with their problems are different. It’s rare when you can point to one factor being the direct cause of a minor being arrested or accused of a crime. However, experts believe these are the most frequent causes of juvenile crime:
- Mental illness and learning disabilities, including depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Exposure to violence in the home, either as the victim of child abuse or as the witness of someone else being abused
- Substance abuse in the home, either the child’s or an adult’s
- Frequent absence from school or dropping out of school
- Living below, at or around the poverty line
Living with some or all of these factors does not automatically mean a teenager will get in trouble with the law. And the absence of these factors does not guarantee that a juvenile will never get arrested. But research has shown that the more a teen contends with one or more of these issues in their lives, the more likely they are to end up accused of a crime.
Your child deserves an excellent defense
As a parent, you have done the best you can to teach your teen right from wrong, and to provide them with a good home. Rather than dwelling on the past, now is the time to make sure your child’s rights are protected in Mississippi Youth Court. Speak to a defense attorney who regularly works with juvenile clients to learn more.
