This stunning incident was later streamed on social media, and was apparently not the first attack on cyclists. Police believe the pair were involved in other collisions, one of which involved a 72-year-old on a bicycle.

Now the two teens are facing murder charges, and will be charged as adults as per Nevada law. The tragedy and waste associated with the case tears at heartstrings, for both the victims of such horrendous crimes, and for the perpetrators, who are damaged to the point that they hold no value for human life.

What to do with Teens Who Murder 

There is no question as to the depravity of this murder and others like it. How do we, as a society, address children who engage in such wantonness? Perhaps we start by trying to make some sense of who teen killers are, and the complex environments that often produce them.

One recent study found that many young offenders grew up in homes in “disordered” neighborhoods with easy access to firearms and greater exposure to violence as children. Oftentimes, compromised home lives drive these youth to make stupid, emotional decisions based on the situation they find themselves in, never thinking through to the consequences of their actions.

That comports with much research concluding that the human brain does not fully develop until roughly age 25.  That’s precisely why the Supreme Court eliminated the death penalty for juveniles back in 2005, and why life without parole is rarely handed down to juvenile offenders.

Understanding the Teen Brain 

Studies reveal what is pretty obvious to the casual observer: teens crave peer approval, and engage in reckless behaviors in order to gain that approval. This, along with the inability to balance risk and reward, make it imperative that the expectations for teen criminals are tempered when they face adult courtrooms. That is not to minimize the suffering of victims; it simply acknowledges the reality of the science behind human behavior.

Defending Teen Suspects 

The experienced Las Vegas juvenile crime attorneys at Lobo Law are prepared to launch a vigorous defense for juveniles who face penalties in the adult criminal justice system. For a confidential consultation, schedule an appointment in our office today.

Source:

cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/las-vegas-teenagers-charged-with-murder-of-former-bell-police-chief/

What We Know 

Across America, criminal cases involving minors jam up juvenile courts to the tune of about 800,000 annually.  Often, those courts attach restitution, fines and fees for criminal sentences, payable in addition to or in lieu of incarceration and/or prolonged periods of probation. The obvious consequence is that indigent youth—frequently Black and brown kids– are locked up with greater frequency than wealthier white kids, or else those indigent kids and their families are strapped with crippling debt. Either way, fees associated with sentencing can make digging out of debt virtually impossible.

Still Think Offenders Reap What They Sow?

 Some people may think that, well, these kids should have thought about the drawbacks before they committed their crimes.  They need to be taught responsibility and that actions have consequences. Fair enough.  But keep in mind that the juvenile system is intended to rehabilitate juvenile offenders.  While that may include punishment, it is also supposed to focus on counseling, guidance, and targeted assistance.  How is strapping youth offenders with financial burdens that they cannot possibly handle helpful?  Beyond that, how can a two-tiered system of “justice” that addresses underage defendants differently based on their ability to pay up be in anyone’s best interest?

One More Thing… 

If that isn’t enough to convince you that hefty fines and financial penalties for juvenile offenders is a bad idea, consider this:  the majority of victims do not seek restitution for crimes committed by juveniles, and only a small percentage ever actually receive restitution. For anyone who believes that victims deserve compensation for damage caused by juvenile offenders, it’s clear that there needs to be some other way to make that happen.

We’re Talking About Children 

The bottom line in all of this, though, is that we are talking about juvenile offenders. Children.  Young people who, according to ample research, are often incapable of making sound decisions or understanding the consequences of their actions at the time they commit their crimes.  In no way does it make sense to strap these youngsters with crippling debt that lasts long after they age out of the juvenile system.

Options for Juveniles 

If you are the parent of a juvenile offender, you may well recognize that your child has been accused of criminal activity and consequences are all but inevitable.  At Lobo Law, our efficient Las Vegas juvenile crimes attorneys are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.  To discuss the possibilities, schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.

Source:

nytimes.com/2022/07/14/us/politics/juvenile-restitution-debts.html?referringSource=articleShare

Arguments Against Trying Juveniles as Adults

Opponents of such a move have several key arguments to explain their position:

• Brain development: Juveniles’ brains have not adequately developed, rendering their decision-making abilities below par at best. Based on neurobiology alone, it is unfair and inappropriate to hold them to the same standards we hold adults when it comes to accountability.
• Nothing is gained: Nobody wins when youngsters, who should be directed to education and rehabilitation, are simply locked up. Not only is it immoral– it does not meet family court’s standard of acting in the child’s best interest.
• Recidivism is more likely: When juveniles are treated like adults, they are less like to get the help they need to change their lives, and the likelihood of entering a life of crime is increased.
• Punishment options are limited: While the juvenile court system may order curfews and counseling, the range of options in adult court are not geared toward young offenders.
• Sealing records gives them a change to start over: It’s much more difficult to seal an adult criminal record, making it more difficult to make a fresh start.
• Incarceration has major risks: Juveniles in adult prisons are often kept in solitary confinement until they are old enough to join the general population, making them 40 times more likely to commit suicide.
• A jury of peers is not possible: Every jury will consist of adults, even though the defendant may be just nine or ten years old.
• Parental responsibility is dissolved: When youth commit serious crimes, it makes no sense to try them as though they are adults.  Instead parents should be held accountable to some degree, such as by being tasked to find proper counseling, care, and rehabilitation opportunities.

Arguments in Favor of Trying Juveniles as Adults 

Proponents of treating kids as adults in the justice system are equally vehement in their arguments:

• Actions have consequences: If a serious crime is committed, the age of the offender is irrelevant.  Society demands justice, and if that means going through the adult justice system, so be it.
• Juvenile court is too lax: When juveniles are given the toughest sentence possible in a juvenile court, they could be out roaming the streets by the time they hit age 18 (or 21 or 25 in some states). Roughly 300 people are killed by juveniles every year.  Our neighborhoods and communities deserve protections from these violent predators.
• They’ll have access to more programs: Adult prisons offer vocational and mental health programs that generally exceed what the juvenile system offers, as well as programming for mental health issues, addiction, and learning disabilities.
• It teaches accountability: Face it: some families simply do not teach accountability, and it is left to society to pick up the slack. Serious crimes should result in serious penalties.

A Just System?

The Las Vegas juvenile crimes attorneys at Lobo Law have dealt with myriad juvenile defendants, and are passionate about providing the best possible defense for youth accused of illegal activities. We are intent on finding a path toward justice for the accused.  To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.

Resource:

americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/childrens-rights/articles/2016/should-juveniles-be-charged-as-adults/

Robbery and Larceny – What’s the Difference?

Generally, the crime of robbery involves the taking another person’s property through the use of force. Nevada law has a more particularized definition of the crime of robbery. Under NRS 200.380, robbery is unlawfully taking personal property from another person (or unlawfully taking the property in that person’s presence) using force, violence or fear of injury to the person, the person’s family members, or companions at the scene of the crime.

Generally, the crime of larceny involves intentionally stealing, taking, and carrying away property of another person. In Nevada, larceny is divided into two crimes – petit larceny and grand larceny.

Under Nevada law, effective July 1, 2020, petit larceny is intentionally stealing or taking away any of the following types of property, with a value of less than $1,200:

• personal goods or property of another
• property of another used or to be used by a lodger
• real property converted into personal property by separating it from another’s property
• domesticated animals

Under Nevada law, effective July 1, 2020, grand larceny is stealing or taking away any of the types of property listed above, as well as livestock, with a value of $1,200 or more.

Juvenile Justice in Nevada

Under Section 62A.030 of Title 5 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (N.R.S.), which pertains to juvenile justice, a youth is generally subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system if he or she is:

• under 18 years of age, and
• under 21, and subject to the juvenile court’s jurisdiction for acts committed before he or she turned 18
• subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a juvenile sex offender

Generally, Nevada has a separate juvenile court system for prosecuting youths who commit most juvenile crimes.  It is important to work with an experienced Nevada criminal lawyer in the event you or a child of yours is arrested for committing a crime in Nevada. Contact an experienced Las Vegas juvenile crime lawyer at Lobo Law PLLC for more information.

Resources:

ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05101.asp?qaDate=2018

8newsnow.com/crime/nevada-ranks-no-10-in-us-for-juvenile-arrests-for-stealing/

https://www.lvcriminallawfirm.com/ways-a-juvenile-record-can-last-a-lifetime/

Lobo Law, LLC is committed to making sure youthful offenders get a second chance. While the prosecutor’s office in Las Vegas will generally consider leniency for first-time offenders, there are a lot of snares in place that can make a deal less valuable than it sounds at first. If your child has been arrested and charged with a crime, it’s not the time to “teach them a lesson.” It’s time to get them the help they need so that later, once they’ve grown up, they’ll have a fighting chance at a future. Talk to a lawyer before agreeing to anything. Just consider a few of the ways a juvenile record can follow a child for life.

College Admissions 

A teenager with a criminal record is going to have a very hard time competing for college admissions in today’s competitive field of applicants. In fact, it’s practically a guarantee that if a teenager has a criminal record, they are going to be limited in college options.

Military Service 

There was once a time when youthful offenders would run to the Army recruiter and sign up for the military. A few years of military life, and these young men and women may have corrected bad behaviors. Today’s military, however, has little interest in teens with a record. A drug problem, alcohol charges, or a serious crime involving dishonesty will all be almost certain reasons to be rejected.

Jobs

Maybe your teen will be able to just put off college for a few years while working at a good blue-collar job, right? Think again. If a background check is required, it may be a nonstarter. Likewise, for jobs in healthcare, public service, and any sort of government position, a criminal record could likely be an absolute bar.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

You and your child may be tempted to take a promising offer from the prosecutor, which allows your teen to come home and avoid time in jail. But unlike most contracts, a plea deal doesn’t put the fine print on the paper. The fine print is in the statutes that apply. It may seem like a good deal to plead guilty to a public intoxication charge to avoid the penalties of a DUI, but the charge may still weigh heavily on their future. Likewise, it may sound great to have your teen go through a teen diversion program, but this can also have drawbacks that aren’t fully explained.

Before you agree to anything or sign anything that could have a lifelong impact on your child’s future, call Lobo Law, LLC to speak with an experienced juvenile crimes defense lawyer in Nevada.

Resource:

clarkcountynv.gov/jjs/Pages/default.aspx