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Kids Have Rights, Too!

It seems like it shouldn’t have to be said, but sometimes people forget that when juveniles get into trouble with the law they have rights and those rights need to be protected. In fact, some of the laws that protect juveniles are stricter than those that protect adults because they are written with juveniles in mind.

The Miranda rights that we have all heard about on TV apply to juveniles as well as adults. There are additional safeguards in place that also protect juveniles. We have a recent podcast which discusses juvenile rights in detail.

Young people cannot be questioned by the police unless they have a parent or guardian or another responsible adult with them. Someone who is looking out only for the interests of the child. That adult’s job is to make sure that the juvenile understands the rights the police read to them, and that they understand what consequences waiving their rights could have for their future.  It’s wise to note here that many adults don’t fully understand the consequences of waiving rights so it is usually in everyone’s best interest to get an attorney involved immediately.

The first right that is read is that you have the right to remain silent. The best legal advice is to exercise that right. Stay silent and get an attorney. Let your attorney help you figure out the seriousness of the trouble and what the best course of action is. Learn more about what a criminal case involves here.

Contrary to what many people believe, if you end up with a juvenile record it can follow you for the rest of your life. A juvenile record can prevent you from a college education, can prevent you from entering the military, can prevent you from obtaining certain jobs or can prevent you from following some career paths. That juvenile record can stay with you forever.

If your child or another juvenile family member finds themselves in trouble with the law, get legal help right away. A successful outcome can save a child from a record that follows them throughout their entire life.

Contact us. Call or text Contant Law at 617-227-8383.

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What Does it Mean to Be Accused of a Title IX Violation?

Frequently, college students are informed that they have been accused of a Title IX violation and they have no idea what this means. A Title IX infraction is typically sexual harassment, assault, dating violence or stalking. Often the school administration makes the notification by email or by letter, but the accused is given little information about what exactly it is they have been accused of doing. The typical college student is also reluctant to tell their parents; and once the student is over 18, parents are not notified.

If you (or your child) is accused of a Title IX violation, it is critical to get advice immediately. Reach out to your parents, seek legal advice and get as much information as possible from the college about the exact nature of the complaint against you. You also need to learn what your rights are.

The Title IX process varies from school to school, based on that school’s written policies and procedures but you can read an overview of the general process here. It is key to have an experienced defense attorney working with you as an advisor to help you navigate this complex process. If the college finds you guilty of a Title IX violation, the consequences can follow you for the rest of your life, affecting your opportunities to finish college, prevent you from going to graduate school and it can even affect your job opportunities in the future.

If you are accused of a Title IX violation, don’t try to defend yourself alone. In order to help ensure that your life is not changed forever, you need to secure a proven criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. If you have been accused of a Title IX violation or need legal help of any kind, call or text us. Contant Law 617-227-8383.

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Juvenile Criminal Law: Helping Kids Navigate the Legal System

Children need to be protected, and if they get into trouble with the law, they need help, guidance and support. In our practice one of the areas where we specialize is juvenile criminal law. We view this as a very critical area of our practice. By helping the youngest and most vulnerable when they find themselves in trouble with the law, we can spare them from a record that follows them for their entire life. In addition, our youngest clients often learn an important lesson from the experience and make better choices going forward; which of course helps them become responsible, law-abiding members of society. Listen to our podcast on defending juveniles to learn more about how the process works.

Impulsive Decisions

Many cases involving juveniles start with a bad choice or impulsive decision, very natural behaviors for adolescents. We recently had a case where a young man and two friends decided to trespass on school property and break into a locker. It was nothing more than a prank to the boys. But when the school pressed charges our client came to us for help. Read more about the case here.

Family Obstacles

Occasionally, we have clients whose parents do not put their child’s best interest first. When we are faced with such situations, we work very hard to be sure the parents understand what their child needs from them. If they do not follow our advice, we devote our energy to seeking the best resolution we can get for the child. A recent case involved a ten-year-old girl accused of injuring her cousin. We were able to help her despite obstacles her family put in the way. Read more about the case here.

If your child or another juvenile family member finds themselves in trouble with the law, get them legal help right away. Having an advocate in your court can make a huge difference to the outcome of the case. A successful outcome can save a child from a record that follows them throughout their entire life. If you or someone you know finds themselves in legal trouble, contact us. Call or text us at Contant Law 617-227-8383.

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If Holiday Joy Slips Away

We all hope for, plan for, and anticipate the fun of the holiday season spent with family and friends; but we also know that sometimes our holidays don’t go the way we want them to. If you run into a legal problem, it can take the joy out of your holiday.

Many things can put you in a legal jam during the holidays. OUI, of course, is a very common problem during the holidays, but there are other issues that can come up, as well. An impulsive kid who gets accused of shoplifting, a disagreement that goes too far and when punches are thrown the cops are called and even weather-related car accidents all can leave you wondering where the joy went.

If you find yourself struggling during the holidays because of an unexpected legal matter contact us. Contant Law is available to guide you through the legal process and ease your mind, so you can still find the joy in the holiday season.

We wish you the Happiest of Holidays, but just in case –

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Keeping Your Holiday Season Jolly

‘Tis the season to be jolly… or so the song goes, but often jolly includes drinking. The holiday parties and potlucks, the impromptu holiday drinks, the family gatherings these all usually include drinking. And the police know it. This is their busiest time of year. We’ve all heard about tragic, avoidable accidents during past holiday seasons. Perhaps you’ve wondered aloud why no one took the keys away from the person or how they could drink and drive. The reality is that any of us can make a poor choice.

Your kids are watching. Whether your kids are 7, 21 or 35, they are watching your example. You’ve taught them about making good choices. You’ve taught the older ones to have a designated driver, use an uber, call a friend or even to call you. So, set a good example by modeling the behavior you’ve been teaching.

If you don’t choose a designated driver ahead of time, ride sharing apps make it easier than ever to get a sober driver to take you home. There’s no shame in being safe and asking for help. Sleeping on a friend’s couch for a night is a far better option than sleeping in a jail cell because you got stopped for an OUI.

Have a plan before you go out if you know you will be drinking. Have an emergency plan if you find yourself at an impromptu celebration. Read more here about what to do if you get stopped by the police. And, if you decide to drive and get stopped, have our number in your contacts. We want your holidays to be happy and uneventful but if you need help contact us.

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The Holidays are Here: Keep Your Kids Safe and Smart on the Roads

Thanksgiving is almost here and with it come celebrations and gatherings as we kick off the holiday season. For adult children coming home for the holiday it can be a hectic time trying to fit in time all the friends they want to see, catch the Thanksgiving alma mater football game, and still make time for family events. If your young adults are away at college and don’t have a car, they may not have driven in a while and if they are out celebrating with friends, they may have a couple of beers while they are out. All this sounds like the making of a holiday nightmare; but you can prevent it.

The first step, of course, is to remind your young adults about the important need for a designated driver. These 21^st century kids know that drinking and driving is wrong and typically behave responsibly. but a strong reminder is never a bad idea. The second step is to teach them what to do and what not to do if they are stopped and have been drinking. Read about the Top Three Common Mistakes People Make in OUI Cases and share it with your young adults. You love your kids and keeping them safe is still in your job description. Make sure they know what to do before they find themselves in trouble.

If you or a family member or friend do get stopped for an OUI over the holidays – or anytime – call or text us. Contant Law – (617) 227-8383.

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