Has Your Child Been Arrested for a Drug Crime in Seattle?
If so, it is vital that you call a defense attorney right away. Even young people can be charged with these serious crimes and face jail time, fines, and more. Drug crimes are taken very seriously by police, even when the offender is a minor. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2002, young people under the age of 16 were responsible for 41% of drug law violation cases. Additionally, a 2006 report stated “In 2002, 8% (35,100) of delinquency cases involving females were for drug offenses. For males 13% (158,100) were drug offense cases”.
For an underage offender, a drug charge can have long term consequences. The good news is that any offense can be fought with the aid of an experienced lawyer. Attorney Steve Karimi will build a strong defense and make sure that you understand all of your options.
Underage Drug Charges in Seattle
Just like adults, young people can also be charged with drug offenses. Minors under the age of 18 can be accused of serious crimes when found possessing, distributing or manufacturing illegal or prescription drugs. These crimes are covered in the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or UCSA. When a suspect is under the age of 18, they are usually considered a juvenile. However, some offenders aged 16-18 can be tried as adults if the court feels the crime was serious enough. It is important to have a lawyer who can argue on your child's behalf because adult sentencing is much steeper than juvenile. Juveniles tried as adults will be subject to the same sentencing guidelines as other offenders and can be charged with felonies that lead to up to a year in prison, thousands of dollars in fines and more.
Those tried as juveniles will face their charges in juvenile court .Information for King County Juvenile Drug Court is as follows:
Court Mailing Address:
Juvenile Drug Court
1211 E. Alder St.
M-S 3G
Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Information:
Court Coordinator: Josalyn Conley
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-205-9487
Fax: 206-205-9414
The penalties for a drug crime can be just as serious for a minor as they can for an adult. In some cases, they may be even steeper because young people often have more to lose. For example, a drug offense conviction can affect a person's ability to get accepted into school and may lose their scholarships or be unable to get financial aid. They may have trouble finding employment or housing as well.
Juvenile Driving Privileges in Washington
In addition to the VUCSA sentencing, Washington law also states that anyone over 13 and under 21 who is convicted of a drug crime will also be subject to license suspension for a given period. RCW 46.20.265 states that the court shall notify the DMV when a juvenile is convicted of an alcohol or drug related offense. When this happens, the DMV will revoke the offender's license until they reach the age of 17. If the offender is 16 or older, they will have their license revoked for 1 full year instead. If the juvenile is a repeat offender, they will face license revocation of 2 years or until they reach the age of 18 depending on whichever is a longer period. If a number of offenses were committed, the offender may be sentenced to license revocation until the age of 21, at which point they may petition the court to have their license reinstated.
This license suspension law applies to all juvenile drug or alcohol offenders regardless of whether a vehicle was involved in the offense. The only way to prevent this suspension and protect your child's ability to drive is to speak to an experienced defense attorney about your options. Attorney Steve Karimi will help you make informed decisions and get results that you are happy with.
Juvenile Drug Crime Defense
If your child is facing charges for a drug crime in Seattle, do not fear. Instead, call our law office and speak to attorney Steve Karimi. He is a former prosecutor who knows how to defend juvenile drug suspects. Juvenile offenders have several options when it comes to drug charges. Washington courts look to provide treatment and rehabilitation to young people with addiction issues. If a suspect chooses to plead guilty, attorney Karimi may be able to assist them with getting the offense expunged from their record. He can help get your child on the road to recovery and keep their criminal record clean. In many juvenile drug cases, the suspect may feel they are innocent and wish to fight the charges. Attorney Karimi is a skilled trial lawyer who will build a strong defense for your child if needed. Regardless of the circumstances of the case, The Law Offices of Steve Karimi can help. Call us now to set up a free consultation and find out more.