Helping You and Your Child Through the Juvenile Justice System

If your child is facing accusations of a delinquent act, it is critical to find a lawyer who is focused, experienced and reliable. The consequences can be quite severe for juveniles, and they can carry over into a child's adult life to a much greater degree than people realize.

I can help. I am R. Lane Lastinger, a St. Petersburg juvenile crime defense attorney serving clients throughout Pinellas County, Florida. I can help you understand how the juvenile justice system works, and I can work within the system to help you get the best outcome possible for your child, including programs and various resources to help your family get to the root of the problem and get your child back on the right track.

How the Juvenile Justice System Works

The primary goal at the juvenile level is rehabilitation, not retribution. Instead of being charged with a crime and prosecuted by the state, a juvenile is technically accused of committing a delinquent act, and works with a probation officer and the court. Instead of looking for ways to punish the child, the court looks for the underlying problem and attempts to find resources and programs to help address these underlying issues.

The system is set up to try to help kids rather than punish them, and it can really work if the child works with the system. My focus in juvenile defense is to make it a collaborative effort with the child, the family, the social workers, the Department of Juvenile Justice Officers and the case workers. I have experience working with these groups, and I can often find creative solutions that balance everyone's interests and help the child get things back on track.

Long-Term Impact of a Juvenile Record

I have more than 17 years of experience working with young people and their families in the juvenile justice system. In that time, I have seen the consequences of juvenile crimes come back to haunt a lot of people.

Most people don't realize that a juvenile record can impact them up to five years into adult court. Maybe the crime doesn't carry a harsh penalty at the time of sentencing as a juvenile, but the charges can subsequently be used sentencing in adult court with tragic consequences. This may lead to much more severe sentencing including lengthy prison sentences. Let me help now, so I can help your child in the juvenile system while keeping you informed of the potential consequences in the future.

Contact R. Lane Lastinger, P.A., for a Free Consultation

I can help you understand how the juvenile justice system works and how I can help defend your child from the consequences of juvenile crimes. Either call me at 877-782-7151 or contact me online for a free initial consultation.