Boca Raton Contributing to Child Delinquency Lawyers: A Guide for Parents
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a serious criminal charge in Florida that can have lasting consequences. As a parent in Boca Raton, it’s important to understand this law and know your rights if you or your child is accused. This article provides an overview of contributing to delinquency charges, typical scenarios, possible defenses, and how a knowledgeable lawyer can help.
What Does “Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor” Mean?
This charge criminalizes any act or omission by an adult that causes or tends to cause a minor to become delinquent. Delinquency refers to antisocial or illegal behavior by a juvenile. Florida law defines a minor as any person under age 18.So contributing to delinquency basically means engaging in conduct that encourages bad behavior in a child. This is a broad statute that can cover a wide range of scenarios. Some common ways adults contribute to delinquency include:
- Providing alcohol, tobacco, drugs, weapons or pornography to a minor
- Failing to supervise a child adequately
- Allowing truancy from school
- Exposing a child to criminal activity in the home
Not all conduct needs to be inherently illegal to qualify as contributing to delinquency. Simply providing ineffective guardianship that leads to delinquency can be enough.
Typical Scenarios for This Charge in Boca Raton
Contributing to delinquency charges often arise from neighbors calling police to report unsupervised kids engaging in minor delinquency like petty theft, vandalism or substance abuse. The parents then get charged for allowing the behavior.Boca Raton parents also face this charge when police catch minors at underage house parties with drugs or alcohol present. Even if the alcohol belongs to the minors themselves, the parents can be criminally responsible for enabling the conduct.
School truancy is another common trigger, especially with older teens no longer under compulsory attendance. Boca Raton schools will report chronic absenteeism, leading to charges against parents for truancy contribution.
Finally, domestic disputes and divorce can prompt false accusations between parents, like allowing improper relationships or exposing a child to criminal activity.
Penalties and Consequences
In Florida, contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a first-degree misdemeanor. This carries maximum penalties of one year in jail and $1,000 in fines. Penalties can be harsher if the child engages in severe delinquency like a felony.
Beyond criminal penalties, a conviction also creates a permanent criminal record. This can hinder employment, housing, loans and educational opportunities. Parents convicted of this charge may also face child custody consequences in a divorce or investigation by child protective services.
Possible Defenses From a Boca Raton Juvenile Lawyer
Skilled juvenile lawyers know how to fight these charges using a variety of defenses, such as:
Lack of Causation – Simply proving a minor engaged in delinquency is not enough. The prosecution must show the adult’s conduct directly contributed to the behavior. A good lawyer can break this causal chain by pointing to other factors influencing the child’s actions.
Lack of Knowledge – At a minimum, the adult must be aware of the delinquent behavior to be held responsible. Parents may claim no knowledge of truancy, drug use, underage drinking, etc. A lawyer can argue the parent acted responsibly as soon as learning of the conduct.
False Accusations – Claims of contributing to delinquency are sometimes fabricated during divorces or custody disputes. An attorney can investigate the accusations and build credibility issues to avoid a conviction.
Unconstitutionality – The contributing law is very broad, and lawyers have challenged it as unconstitutionally vague. While not always successful, it is a possible angle depending on the facts.
An experienced lawyer knows when and how to assert these defenses for the best chance at dismissal or acquittal.
Why Work With a Boca Raton Juvenile Lawyer?
Facing criminal charges is always scary, especially for parents who could lose custody or visitation with their children. Only an attorney has the skills to properly investigate the charges, negotiate with the prosecution, and defend you in court.
Here are some of the key benefits of working with an attorney for contributing to delinquency charges:
- Thoroughly examine the prosecution’s evidence and formulate defense strategies
- Advocate for diversion programs to avoid a conviction
- Negotiate dismissal or reduced charges through plea bargains
- Argue motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence
- Assert constitutional rights violations
- Cross-examine state witnesses and challenge their credibility
- Present expert testimony rebutting claims of poor guardianship
- Appeal any conviction successfully imposed
While every case is different, an experienced juvenile lawyer is usually the best chance at avoiding penalties for contributing to delinquency allegations. Don’t leave your fate or your child’s fate to chance.
Finding the Right Boca Raton Juvenile Lawyer
If you or your child are facing charges related to contributing to delinquency, time is of the essence. Call an experienced Boca Raton juvenile lawyer today for a free consultation and case evaluation. They have defended these charges many times before and know how to achieve the best possible outcome. Consider calling the law offices of, which have represented families in Boca Raton for over 20 years. Don’t go it alone against the power of the state – a knowledgeable lawyer can make all the difference.