Defending Your Children From Juvenile Drug Crimes

No parents want to find out that their kids are in trouble with the law, especially when it involves possession of illegal drugs, drug trafficking or other drug-related criminal charges. If your child is facing juvenile drug charges, it is critically important to get a focused, experienced attorney who can help defend your child in the juvenile courts. Too much is at stake to settle for anything less.

I founded The Law Office of R. Lane Lastinger, P.A., more than 10 years ago to focus exclusively on criminal defense, exclusively in Pinellas County, Florida. I know how the juvenile justice system works, and I can help you and your child through this process. If you need a St. Petersburg juvenile drug crimes attorney, I can help.

The Nature of Juvenile Drug Crimes

Drug crimes are probably the most frequent type of juvenile crime that I see in my criminal defense practice. Sometimes the cause is peer pressure or problems at home. As much as juvenile drug crimes are a problem in themselves, the fact is, these drug crimes often lead to many other juvenile crimes, like:

• Theft crimes and dealing in stolen property: Often, kids get hooked on drugs and they need to steal to maintain the drug habit.
• DUI: Underage drinking is certainly not uncommon with kids who are already committing other drug crimes. All too frequently, kids are drinking and taking drugs while driving.
• Weapons charges: Many of the people dealing drugs to youths carry weapons, and it is often not too long before the young people have illegally possessed guns of their own.

I find more and more frequently that drugs, while a problem in themselves, are the root of a lot of other juvenile offenses. At that point, it becomes very important to work with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the family to address those issues and figure out a program within the system that will best address those issues. Finding those programs and alternative solutions often leads to more lenient sentences for my clients' children.

Experience That Matters

Not only do I have more than 17 years of experience representing young people in the juvenile justice system, but I also have experience as a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran. This experience taught me that all problems have an appropriate solution if one has the knowledge and persistence to find the answer.

I will not judge you or your child. I will do everything I can to help.

Clearwater, Florida, Minor in Possession Lawyer ∙ 877-782-7151 ∙ Free Consultations

Especially if this is your first experience with the juvenile justice system, you might need a little bit of advice and input from a lawyer. Either contact me online or call my St Petersburg office for a free initial consultation.