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Juvenile Sex Offenses

Sex offenses committed by juveniles (also known as child-on-child sexual abuse) are a major issue. The statistics are surprising. Over one-third of sex offenses against juveniles are committed by other juveniles. Roughly one-quarter of all sex offenders are juveniles. It’s hard to imagine your child engaging in sexual behavior at a young age, but it happens more often than you would think. 

If your child faces charges for a juvenile sex offense, it is difficult to know how to respond. Your child’s future could be in jeopardy. It is in your best interest to contact a qualified sex crimes attorney for guidance. 

Defense Attorney for Juvenile Sex Offenses in Garden City, NY

The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni defends a variety of criminal offenses, including sex crimes committed by juveniles. Attorney Stephanie Selloni understands that childhood is a confusing period in a person’s life. She will fight aggressively to secure the most favorable outcome for your child. 

Call today at (516) 972-1212 or complete an online form. Stephanie will speak with you about your child’s situation and advise how to proceed. The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni represents Long Island clients from Glen Cove, Garden City, New York City, and communities across Suffolk and Nassau County.

Overview of Juvenile Sex Offenses in Garden City, NY

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Common Juvenile Sex Offenses

Childhood is a period of intense curiosity and rapid growth. It is no surprise that a child may want to experiment with sexual behavior. This is especially true if they have been exposed to sexual media content. However, it is still possible for a child to break the law and commit a sex crime.

Looking at or touching another child’s sexual organs is one of the more common sexual offenses committed by juveniles. Children often do this to learn more about the human body, not for sexual gratification. A child may also engage in “sexual play” where he or she mimics sexual acts they have seen depicted elsewhere. 

Technology has introduced a more modern way for juveniles to get in legal trouble: “sexting.” Sexting involves taking sexual photographs of oneself to send to a romantic interest. When two consenting adults sext, it is perfectly legal. If a minor gets caught sexting, they could be charged with distribution of child pornography. 

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What is a Juvenile Delinquent in Suffolk County?

A child between the ages of 7 and 16 is considered a juvenile delinquent when they violate the law. Juvenile delinquency cases take place in New York’s family court rather than criminal court. 

Juveniles between 13 and 15 years old may instead be required to appear at the New York Supreme Court. A conviction in the Supreme Court will label your child as a juvenile offender rather than a juvenile delinquent. This means that your kid could be thrown in prison with hardened adult criminals. It’s critical that you contact a criminal defense attorney to ensure the best possible outcome for your child. 

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How Does New York’s Family Court Work?

New York’s family court system handles legal matters involving children, families, and couples. Family court cases are decided by a judge and no jury. Each of New York’s five boroughs has a family court. The family court system is separate from New York’s civil and criminal courts.

Your child will need to attend a fact-finding hearing before a family court judge. Witnesses may appear and evidence can be presented in an attempt to prove that the juvenile is guilty as accused. Your child’s outcome is dependent upon the judge’s ruling. Delinquent acts are not crimes, and they are not decided by a jury. 

After the fact-finding hearing, your child must then attend a dispositional hearing. This step of the judicial process is akin to the sentencing phase in a criminal trial. The judge will decide what punishment he or she deems appropriate based on the available evidence. 

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Penalties for Juvenile Sex Offenses in Garden City, NY

While adult offenders are required to register as sex offenders for sex offenses, the rules are different for kids. Juvenile delinquents are not considered to have committed a crime, so they don’t have to register as sex offenders. Juvenile delinquents will also not be sentenced to a jail term. Juveniles’ criminal records are sealed.

In lieu of jail, treatment or supervision for the child may be ordered. The judge may also rule that the child needs to be placed in a program through New York’s Office of Children and Family Services. Juvenile delinquents placed in residential facilities are provided with various services such as counseling, mental health services, education, and recreation. 

If your child is convicted in New York Supreme Court and declared a juvenile offender, they will be required to register as a sex offender. Juvenile offenders may be tried as adults, and their criminal records are not sealed. If your child is convicted as a juvenile offender, this could negatively impact the rest of his or her life. The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni has the experience to defend your child’s future against criminal charges.

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Additional Resources

Juvenile Sex Offender Guide | NYS Corrections – New York’s Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) published the New York State Probation Juvenile Sex Offender Management Practitioner Guidance in December 2010. This resource contains thorough research regarding children who commit sex offenses. Visit this website to learn about the causes of abnormal sexual behavior in children and how New York’s corrections system trains its employees to respond.

Juvenile Sex Offender Research Bibliography | US DOJ – The United States Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides an extensive list of resources on juvenile sex offenders. Here you will find journal articles, books, and reports covering topics such as treatment, mental health, and recidivism. 

Juvenile Justice Bulletin | OJJDP – Visit this link to review a Juvenile Justice Bulletin produced by the OJJDP titled “Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors.” Here you can read statistics about sex offenses committed by juveniles. You can also view data about offenders based on gender, age, and where the offenses occurred. 

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Defense Lawyer for Juvenile Sex Offenses in Garden City, NY

The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni understands that you only want what’s best for your child. The good news is that most juvenile sex offenders do not re-offend. Stephanie Selloni can help you sort out the stressful legal situation you and your child are in. You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni for a free initial consultation.

Call (516) 972-1212 or complete the online form. During your consultation, Stephanie will review the facts to help determine the most favorable outcome for your family. It may be possible to reduce or dismiss the charges. The first step is contacting the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni. Stephanie represents Long Island clients in Garden City, Mineola, New York City, and communities across Suffolk and Nassau County. Call today.

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