Parents’ Responsibilities for Juvenile Offenders

When a juvenile runs into trouble with Utah law, his or her parents tend to have a lot of questions. It’s important for juvenile offenders and parents to know their rights under the law. There is no substitute for expert legal advice, so don’t hesitate to consult an attorney who can explain complicated laws in an understandable fashion. Following are brief answers to a few questions that can give you a springboard for addressing your more detailed concerns about your child’s situation with your attorney.

A major concern for many parents is whether or not they are responsible for a child’s criminal behavior. In general, parents are not accountable for their child’s criminal activities. However, parents can be held liable “as a party” for a criminal offense if they participated or were involved in any way in the child’s offense. Another reality for parents is that they are financially accountable for their child’s care when in a juvenile justice program. Parents or guardians are also required to attend juvenile court proceedings involving their child unless they want to face contempt of court charges.

 As a parent, be prepared to follow the court’s instructions to you, as well. Your child will most likely require assistance in fulfilling the agreement between him or her and the court, particularly when it comes to transportation if they have had their driver’s license privileges suspended. Also be aware that should your child be taken to detention, only parents and guardians are allowed visitation under the rules of the particular facility. Any other visitors must be approved by the court.

Get additional support for you, your child, and your family if you need it. There are many qualified professionals who can provide assistance through your child’s legal challenges. An experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney will help the process proceed as smoothly as possible, so that your entire family can move forward.