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Raising Him Alone Campaign is overwhelmed with requests from parents across the US, Canada and Caribbean to provide information on supporting families who have a son who has been arrested. The following information is applicable in most states and developed countries. |
Step 1
Find out about the charges against your child. What is your child specifically being charged with? The police have a responsibility to inform you (parent/caregiver) right away if your child has been arrested and tell you why he or she is being held.
Step 2
Hire an attorney, one with a background in juvenile-crime. Your attorney can give you an in-depth explanation of local laws concerning these rights. You may have to give your attorney a retainer (retainer is a lump sum of money given to your attorney to begin working on your case).
Step 3
Discuss in detail your child's charges. Determine if your child is being charged as an adult or as a minor, as their rights may vary based on the charges. Your attorney will explain the implications of being tried as an adult.
Step 4
Learn whether or not you will be held liable for your child's behavior. In some states, parents are required to pay restitution to victims for their child's crime.
Step 5
Contact the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to find out whether the rights of your child have been violated (see Resources below). The ACLU exists to help those who aren't familiar with the law understand and receive all of their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Step 6
Follow up by asking whether your child's court records will be available to the public. Some states may not allow juvenile records to be accessed by anyone except juvenile officials; others may allow educational institutions and prospective employers to have access to these records.
**Once arrested, the police must immediately notify the minor's parent/guardian and/or caregiver of the arrest. The minor is allowed two completed phone calls, to a parent and also to an attorney. If the officer decides on detention, he must take the minor before a Probation Officer within 24 hours of his arrest. |
