Every parent loves their child and hurts to see them in a tough situation. How much more so when that same child has been charged with a crime. If your child has been accused of a crime, you may need to consider the possibility that they are in for a trip to a juvenile detention center.

Depending on the crime your child has committed, the sentencing could be lenient. If your child has a previous criminal record, or if the crime is deemed heinous enough or willful enough, you should prepare for what happens when your child is incarcerated in a juvenile detention center. But before being found guilty and officially sentenced, your child could spend up to 21 days in a secure detention facility. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, here are the steps that you should take.

When You Get The Call

When an officer calls you to inform you that your child has been taken into custody, the obvious thing to do is to go and be with them in their time of need.

Hire An Attorney

Before you leave to go to your child, you need to call a skilled attorney in your area. The longer you wait, the worse the situation could get. The attorneys at Hoyer Law Firm recommend calling an attorney as soon as possible after finding out that you need one. This will allow you to brief your attorney on the situation when it is still fresh. This also allows your attorney to travel to your child, where they can protect them from unfair prosecution and loaded questions that the police may use to tempt them into saying more than is good for their case.

Advice Your Child To Stick To Their Story

While in custody, advise your child to maintain the original response they gave to their situation when arrested. Your child should never lie or embellish to an attorney, but when incarcerated, saying less is better because it will keep your child from unintentionally incriminating themselves further. Your attorney will advise your child, if guilty, to maintain silence.

Indicate Your Own Wishes

Make it clear that you wish to take your child back into your own custody. This is particularly important if your child has no previous record, as authorities will be more willing to release them into your custody.

Meet With The Attorney & Your Child

Make sure that you attend the first meeting the attorney has with your child. This will help you to understand the case itself, while gauging your attorney’s interest and expertise in the case. Do not work with an attorney that either you or your child are not comfortable working with, and be ready to accept your attorney’s outlook on the case.

Advise Your Child To Keep Silent

Keep your child focused on the big picture. Persuade them not to talk about the case unless their attorney is present. This includes dishing the details to friends or answering police questions related to the case.

Keep Some Things To Yourself

You should make sure that your child is aware of the weight of their situation and the possible consequences that they may need to face. However, you may feel that there are negative aspects of the case that your child does not need to know. If you feel that a particular fact of the case may make your child more likely to make a run for it, you may consider keeping these things to yourself.