It’s a common misconception that children under the age of 18 can’t face adult criminal charges. Even though research shows the human brain doesn’t fully develop until the mid-to-late 20s, youthful impulsivity and poor judgment aren’t considered valid defenses under Oklahoma law.
How Youthful Offender Status Affects Sentencing
Youthful offenders are not released from custody when they turn 18. If they have time remaining on their sentence, they’ll be transferred to an adult facility and placed in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Please note that once a person has been certified a youthful offender in any Oklahoma court proceeding, they will remain a youthful offender in all subsequent criminal cases until they turn 18.
Why You Need an Experienced Tulsa Sex Crimes Attorney on Your Side
The youthful offender process is extremely complicated, so it’s vital that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. Most sex crimes defense lawyers do not have much experience with this type of charge, and even fewer understand how to effectively defend a client who is charged as a youthful offender. At Berlin Defense, we have a tremendous amount of experience at both the district court and appellate levels dealing with youthful offender charges.
If your child has been charged as a youthful offender, time is not on your side. These cases require extensive preparation, including obtaining school records, medical records, mental health records, and other supporting evidence. Judges are not allowed to make a defendant proceed as a youthful defender on the basis of age alone, so our goal is to show evidence that supports moving the case to the juvenile system.
If we are successful in having your child’s case processed through the juvenile system instead of as a youthful offender, their record will be sealed. They’ll be able to avoid the stigma that comes with these types of charges being made public knowledge, and the consequences for their future will be greatly reduced.
If you’d like to learn more about the felony case process for sex crime charges in Oklahoma, we urge you to request a copy of Fighting The Guilt Machine. We provide this free resource to help our clients make informed decisions about protecting their legal rights.
Has Your Son Been Charged With a Sex Crime in the Tulsa, OK, Area?
If your son has been charged with a sex crime in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call 918.384.0850 for your initial strategy session. We are proud to serve Tulsa and all surrounding areas.
