Juvenile Drug Crimes in Olathe

Johnson County Juvenile Crime Lawyer

Juvenile drug charges are given in order to help troubled youths recover from mistakes they have made. This type of charge is very different from adult drug charges, which are meant to punish a criminal offender but the penalties are still severe. Drug crimes are very prevalent among youths today. Marijuana being one of the leading drugs seen in the youth population. In fact, 92% of arrested juveniles who test positive for drugs, test positive for marijuana and 14.4% test positive for cocaine. There are shocking statistics comparing juveniles who have been arrested to those who have not been arrested.

• Children who have been arrested in the past year are:
• More than 3.5 times likelier to have used marijuana
• 3 times likelier to have used prescription drugs for recreational purposes
• More than 7 times likelier to have used Ecstasy
• More than 9 times likelier to have used cocaine
• More than 20 times likelier to have used heroin

Types of Juvenile Drug Crimes

The rate of juvenile drug crimes is increasing for both females and males. In a five year study regarding the juvenile justice systems, out of 2.4 million juvenile arrests, 19 million involved substance abuse. Of those 19 million, only 68,600 received substance abuse treatment.

• These arrests can result from several different types of juvenile drug crimes, all holding tough punishments:
• Possession of drugs: if any amount of drug is found on their person, in their vehicle, in their locker, or in their personal bag.
• Selling of drugs: if they are arrested for selling drugs they can be incarcerated.
• Transportation of drugs: the moving of drugs for sale, this charge can have severe penalties because it is meant to punish drug dealers.
• Intent to distribute drugs: when the amount of drugs found on their person is more than one person can reasonably use by himself or herself.
• Cultivation of drugs: when evidence such as marijuana leaves or equipment to grow drugs is found the defendant can be charged for cultivating marijuana or other drugs which is illegal.

Juveniles are punished with rehabilitative measures as consequences for their actions, rather than being sentenced in prison. The state is able to hold juveniles accountable for their behavior in order to allow them to live a more responsible life in the future. If the rehabilitative measures fail, however, the juvenile offender can be sentenced to a juvenile correctional facility. While a child is not legally eligible to receive a conviction in court, an adjudication for a crime may stay on a child's permanent criminal record for the rest of their life. There are even times when District Attorneys change a child to adult status if they are an older child and then they are able to prosecute them with an Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile Prosecution (EJJP). The EJJP allows the court to give a child two sentences: one as a juvenile and one as an adult. If the violation is considered substantial in court, the adult sentence can be invoked, leading to prison time.

There is a lot at stake when it comes to juvenile drug crimes; juvenile adjudication can stay on your child's record for life. You need to take action right away to ensure that your child has the best opportunity of maintaining a clean criminal record. With help from our Olathe juvenile crime lawyer, your child might be able to stay out of juvenile hall and take part in different community service programs instead.

Contact Garretson & Toth, LLC for a free consultation if your child has been arrested for a drug crime. We have 57 years of combined experience aggressively defending our clients and enforcing their rights, help us help you by calling today!