View profile on Avvo
Avvo Rating 10
10 Best
The National Trial Lawyers

Can Juvenile Crimes Affect a Person Who Commits a Crime as an Adult? 

Law Office of Katie Walsh

There is a good reason why juveniles who are accused of committing crimes will generally be seen in a juvenile criminal justice system instead of an adult criminal justice system. Imposing severe penalties on youth before they reach adulthood can be incredibly detrimental to their future prospects. Instead of leaving a child stuck in the system as punishment for mistakes where they will be surrounded by others who have a criminal mentality and disposition, the California juvenile system offers positive inspiration and opportunities to help children change their perspective. As a result, when the juvenile justice system is working, youth can look toward a brighter future, and by extension, their community also benefits.

Despite this reality, there are some crimes that a person can commit as a juvenile that can come back and haunt them as an adult. It is essential that when a juvenile is charged with a crime, they have a competent and effective legal defense attorney on their side. The potential long-term repercussions of a conviction could change the trajectory of their life. 

In California, Attorney Katie Walsh is an Orange County juvenile defense attorney who can help your child if they are facing criminal charges.

How Juvenile Crimes Can Impact Adult Criminality in California

Anyone can make a misstep or make a bad decision. However, when a child does something wrong, it is usually the accepted approach to give them the benefit of the doubt due to their innate naivety and immaturity simply because of their young age. Certain errors should not necessarily be something that follows a child around in life and hinders their ability to be productive and prosperous adults. 

When a child commits an unlawful act, it happens all too often that an inability to secure skilled legal defense can lead to poor legal outcomes that may adversely affect that child in the future. Similarly, parents who believe that a juvenile crime is unserious and will not be something that can harm their child as an adult is another issue.

There are certain crimes a juvenile may commit in California that will not be automatically sealed. As a result, if an individual is convicted of such a crime as a youth and then is convicted of committing another crime in adulthood, they may be subject to enhanced penalties due to their past indiscretions. As an adult, much more serious charges and punishments may be on the table if the adult established a criminal history when they were younger.

Speak to a California Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Juvenile crimes are not insignificant or unserious. Even a minor infraction could have devastating consequences for a youth. When it comes to providing youth with a proper defense and ensuring that their case is handled correctly, it is crucial to work with an attorney who understands the nuances of the juvenile justice system.

To secure experienced juvenile criminal defense services in Orange County, please call the Law Office of Katie Walsh to schedule a free consultation at (714) 351-0178.

Client Reviews

I hired attorney Katie Walsh to help my son when he was found with a large amount of drugs on school campus. She got us through the Expulsion Hearing, and miraculously he can go back to school at the winter semester...

AR- parent of minor client

I hired Katie Walsh to have my felony convictions expunged. She was able to expunge my record within 6 weeks of me giving her all the information. Even though technically I had a probation violation, and therefore the...

AR, criminal client

My 16 year old son was charged with possession of Marijuana, HS 11357(b). I was very concerned about what would happen to him and how this would affect his future. I contacted Ms. Walsh and she assured me that everything...

CT, parent of juvenile client

My child was charged with Felony Penal Code 597(a)- Animal Cruelty. After hiring Katie Walsh, she got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, counseling, and 40 hours of chores at home. We come back in 6 months and the...

DH - Parent of Juvenile client

I hired Katie Walsh to represent my son on sexual abuse allegations- P.C. 288(a) and P.C. 288(b)- they were Strike Charges. After negotiating with the D.A., she got all the strike charges dismissed, and got my son...

DR- mother of juvenile client

Katie Walsh was fantastic throughout this entire process! My 13 year old son was charged with two counts of lewd act on a minor, PC 288(a) and was in juvenile hall. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she GOT MY SON OUT OF JAIL and...

EG, parent of juvenile client

My 14 year old son was arrested at school for P.C. 311 (child pornography). My son had innocent and stupid nude pictures of himself and friends on his phone. Ms. Walsh was extremely easy to talk to, and made my son feel...

GK,TK, parents of juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was a life saver when I didn't know what was going on, or how to handle the situation. My young daughter was attacked at her middle school and was seriously injured. At a time when both the school and the...

HA, mother of 13 year old Victim Rights client

I hired Katie Walsh to seal my juvenile record of PC 288(a) (lewd act on a minor), after my request had been denied by a Judge and by the Probation Department. After speaking with Probation, the DA and the Judge at a...

JW, former juvenile client

I was charged with a Felony Conspiracy charge- PC 182. After hiring Ms. Walsh she got my charged reduced to a misdemeanor right away, and now I just have to do community service and in 6 months my entire case will be...

KP, juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was like a breath of fresh air throughout this entire process. I was uncertain about the outcome, but she told me everything would be ok- and it was. She had my juvenile record sealed within 3 months of...

LR, former juvenile client

Ms. Walsh got the judge to terminate my son's probation and seal his 2 juvenile cases (Penal Code 288(a) and Penal Code 242) even though he had violated my probation by picking up a new case. By getting his record sealed...

MB- mother of juvenile client

At a very difficult time in my life I contacted attorney Katie Walsh. I am a teacher and was being harassed/stalked by a parent at my school. I wanted a Restraining Order against this person. Ms. Walsh listened to me...

MB, restraining order client

My son was charged with Lewd Conduct, P.C. 647 out of Downey, CA. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she spoke with the District Attorney, Probation, and the Judge. Even though the judge was not pleased with the offer, she was able...

MG, parent of minor

It is with sincere gratitude that I send this recommendation As a parent of a child that was arrested on a Felony Domestic Abuse charge and over 2000 miles away I had to rely on friend of a friends word that you would...

MPF, mother of criminal client

I really liked having Ms. Walsh as my attorney. She visited me in Juvenile Hall. I was charged with four counts of Robbery (Penal Code 211). This was my 8th juvenile petition. Ms. Walsh got 2 of the robbery charges...

MU, juvenile client

I was arrested for a felony Domestic charge, PC 273.5(a). After I hired Katie Walsh, my entire case was dismissed. I never had to appear in court. I felt very comfortable with Ms. Walsh- she was easy to speak with...

NF, criminal client

Katie was instrumental in helping me with a criminal matter as an advocate for me and my children when I was a named victim in a DV case. She patiently and expediently addressed all of my questions and was an invaluable...

RG

My daughter was pulled over arrested for having a Fake ID. After hiring Ms. Walsh my daughter did not have to plead guilty- which would have affected her license status. She did community service, completed a legal...

RS

My 14 year old daughter was involved in an assault and battery- PC 240/242, in Irvine. After hiring Katie Walsh the case was not referred to Court. My daughter was able to complete a class and the case will be dismissed...

SG, mother a juvenile client

My son was charged with possession of Child Pornography P.C. 311.11(a) - a charge I did not realize a child could be guilty of! As parents were beside ourselves when we found this out, and contacted Katie Walsh. She...

SH- mother of juvenile client

From San Diego I contacted Ms. Walsh about sealing my juvenile record in Orange County regarding a Petty Theft charge. She was always very responsive to any of my questions, and consistently kept me updated. Even though...

XL, juvenile client

Contact Us Now

Photograph.png

Free Consultation (714) 351-0178