In my experience, nothing hits parents harder than having a child accused of committing a crime.   We all have hopes and plans for our children.  We want them to grow up healthy and happy, get an education and pursue their dreams.  We want to be proud of our children and we often tend to share with our friends and neighbors about their successes and accomplishments.  When a child is charged with a crime, it can seem like the end of the world.  Fear, panic, anger, frustration, and disappointment are all among the typical emotions experienced by parents in this situation.

Over many years of assisting parents in this traumatic circumstance and having seen a wide range of reactions, I have developed a series of suggestions that I believe can be helpful.   It can be a pivotal point in a child’s life and can be the first step to either a successful future or the beginning of a downward spiral in the other direction.  Fortunately, in the great majority of cases, damage can be minimized, and in all cases life will go on.  However, more importantly, a child will often learn important life lessons from the way they see their parents respond under this type of pressure.  My suggestions include the following:

1.     Get Yourself Under Control.
Because shock, anger and fear are often the first emotions a parent experiences after learning of charges being brought against a child, it is very important to guard against taking action based on feelings.  Relationships can be permanently fractured by anger or violent reactions.  Furthermore, opportunities for a positive resolution of the charges can be jeopardized by emotional reactions or interactions with persons in authority concerning the case.

2.    Get The Facts.
As soon as possible, parents should learn as much as possible about the specific things a child is accused of having done.  It is also important to know where the matter occurred and who else was involved.  While a child can provide some of this information directly, an attorney or a bail bondsman can get information regarding the nature of the charge, the case number and the court where charges will be prosecuted.

3.    Get Professional Help.
Never assume that a criminal charge can be worked out by simply discussing the matter with police or prosecutors.  Anything shared with authority in a case may wind up being used against your child in a trial or negotiations.  You need to understand the gravity of the charges against your child before you can make an intelligent decision about how to proceed.

4.    Get Involved.
Your child needs you to be involved.  You are the adult and the child needs to see you acting responsibly.  Do not caudle the child or accept the child’s story as being totally accurate, but let the child know that you will stand with them to face this difficult situation.

Parents often make the difference in how a criminal charge will impact the life of a child.  If I can be of assistance, please call my office at 281-358-7035 or visit our website at www.hubbardlawgroup.com.