Juvenile Sentence in Utah Armed Robbery Case Too Severe, Says Father

0 Comments

Utah Juvenile Armed Robbery
Photo: Victor

In what came as a surprise to many, a juvenile in Ogden, Utah, was recently sentenced to two, 1-to-15 year prison terms for his part in an armed robbery.

A Minor Score Equals Major Time

The armed robbery and subsequent arrest in question took place last fall. Sixteen-year-old Cooper Van Huizen was accused of being involved with four others who entered a home on November 4 in Roy, Utah, and proceeded to hold two people at gunpoint in the basement, demanding drugs and money. In the end, it was reported that the group left with a bag of marijuana, a cellphone, wallet and $10.

Cooper’s father, Marc Van Huizen, urged his son to take a deal where he would plead guilty to two reduced charges of second-degree felony robbery. Van Huizen believed the plea deal meant Cooper would just get a 180-day jail sentence which would allow him to continue attending school during the day and that upon completion of probation, the charges would be reduced to class A misdemeanors. Van Huizen was shocked when 2nd District Judge Ernie Jones handed down the severe sentence. He said the judge seemed “very upset” and disallowed the plea agreement.

A Question of Balance

While Marc Van Huizen claims there was insufficient evidence proving that his son was an instigator in the incident or that he was even armed, most judges will examine certain aggravating circumstances, such as being complicit with others who were armed, and weigh them against mitigating circumstances, such as the facts that Van Huizen is still a minor and it is his first offense.

In addition, judges will often consider what the public perception will be if they let an offender off easy. Many judges believe it is their duty to make examples of certain juvenile offenders in order to scare their peers. If your child has been accused of armed robbery or any other crime, it’s very important that you seek the help of a respected and experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney to avoid finding yourself in a similar situation as the Van Huizens.