14 yr. old son involved w/ breaking & entering

[jenwms]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? virginia
My 14 yr. old son & 4 friends broke into the little store in our community last sat. night. I recieved a call at work from sheriffs office on wednesday. they told me they knew for a fact my son was involved and they needed for me to meet them at my house so they could search it. they found 2 empty beer cans in my sons room. they said they would wait until the following day to question my son at school. after they left my house they went to the school and had my son & the rest of the boys sign statements. They all admitted to it. the boys initally were going to the store, but when they got there it was closed, thats when they broke in. well they ended going back 2 more times and going in the store. they stole beer cigarettes and candy. (the third time they went back, only 2 of the boys went) . Me & my ex have joint custody, in jan we went to court so I could have physical custody even tho he spent a lot of time living with me (it was never changed in court where his dad had physical custody) I had found out his dad was giving him alcohol and pot. So now, social services is involved and he is considerd an "at risk" child. He has never been in any trouble before. I am scared for him and dont know what is going to become of this. I am a good mom and am doing everything I can to provide for him & his brothers. Any advice or comments would be appreciated..

 

[stealth2]

If he were mine, I'd be getting him a good lawyer. And you need to call his Dad, if you haven't already done so.

 

[jenwms]

Thank you for your input, I did let his dad know. But like I said, when he was staying with his dad, he gave him alcohol & pot. His dad is not going to be of any help or offer any support for my son, he was the most negative influence in my sons life.

 

[jenwms]

update

my son just recieved his court papers, he is being charged with felony breaking & entering and feloniously stealing. does any one have any faith in the court appointed lawyers. I have always heard they dont work as hard because they get paid either way. they are saying this will stay on my sons record once he becomes an adult. I know he needs consequences for what he has done, but not to ruin his whole life. and something like this permantely on his record would do just that.

 

[Just Blue]

I have always heard they dont work as hard because they get paid either way

Huh? ALL attorneys get "paid either way". Are you under that mis-assumption that you only have to pay an attorney for a favorable result?

 

[jenwms]

reply

No thats not what I meant. Court appointed attorneys are just that, appointed by the court system. I am just wondering if a privately hired attorney will work harder on the case vs one appointed by the courts.

 

[Isis1]

No thats not what I meant. Court appointed attorneys are just that, appointed by the court system. I am just wondering if a privately hired attorney will work harder on the case vs one appointed by the courts.

not always true. actually, not quite often true.

 

[Just Blue]

No thats not what I meant. Court appointed attorneys are just that, appointed by the court system. I am just wondering if a privately hired attorney will work harder on the case vs one appointed by the courts.

If you can afford a "privately attorney" than you would not qualify for a CAA. So this is really a moot point.

 

[jenwms]

I cannot afford to hire a private attorney, but I am willing to get a loan or what ever to hire one if at all possible. I just dont want to see my sons life fuined by something stupid he did at the age of 14. he has his whole life in front of him. Like I said, he is basically a good kid, never been in trouble before at all.

 

[Just Blue]

I cannot afford to hire a private attorney, but I am willing to get a loan or what ever to hire one if at all possible. I just dont want to see my sons life fuined by something stupid he did at the age of 14. he has his whole life in front of him. Like I said, he is basically a good kid, never been in trouble before at all.

Let me re-phrase this:

Unless you are indigent you will not qualify for a CAA.

 

[Antigone*]

I cannot afford to hire a private attorney, but I am willing to get a loan or what ever to hire one if at all possible. I just dont want to see my sons life fuined by something stupid he did at the age of 14. he has his whole life in front of him. Like I said, he is basically a good kid, never been in trouble before at all.

Your ability to get a loan is a valid resource. Hire your son an attorney and then have your son work to pay every penny back to you.

This will serve three purposes. 1 - Your son will get the representation of hs choice. 2 - You can teach him a valuable lesson by holding him accountable for the debt. 3 - while he is working at all the odd jobs he will be doing until he can legally earn a paycheck, he will be too busy to get into any trouble.

 

[Ohiogal]

No thats not what I meant. Court appointed attorneys are just that, appointed by the court system. I am just wondering if a privately hired attorney will work harder on the case vs one appointed by the courts.

Give me a break. Court appointed attorneys are just like regular attorneys. Actually they are regular attorneys. Do what you want.

 

[29ATWA]

If I were you I'd ask that he be put in Juvy (jail) long enough to be scared straight.