Parenting is one of the hardest tasks that many adults will face over the course of a lifetime. Minors often make dumb decisions that can result in the commission of a crime. When the police are called to detain your child, you may be wondering what comes next. There are three possible outcomes that might come out of your child's detention. Understanding these outcomes will help you better navigate the juvenile justice system.

1. Dismissal

The best possible outcome in any juvenile criminal case is a dismissal of all charges. Once your child has been turned over to the juvenile court system, an intake officer will review his or her case. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining how to handle each case.

Your child's age, previous criminal history, and the severity of the crime he or she is accused of will all come into play as the intake officer is reviewing the case. Hiring an attorney to intervene during the intake process can increase your child's chances of having his or her criminal charges dismissed.

2. Informal Proceedings

In the event that the intake officer feels your child's actions warrant some type of intervention, informal proceedings may be required. These informal proceedings are designed to help juvenile delinquents who have no criminal past learn from their mistakes.

Informal proceedings might include such penalties as a stern lecture from a judge or prosecutor, repayment for any damages caused during the commission of the crime, or participation in a counseling program. Although informal proceedings are not considered formal charges, your child will need to abide by the terms set forth by the intake officer.

An attorney will be able to help you identify your obligations and serve as a liaison between you and the intake officer to ensure proper communication.

3.  Formal Charges

When an intake officer feels that a juvenile's criminal activity is severe enough to warrant detention, formal charges will be levied. It's important that you hire an attorney who has experience navigating the juvenile justice system if your child is facing formal charges.

A criminal attorney from a place like Larson, Latham, Huettl Attorneys will be able to evaluate the facts surrounding your child's case and mount a defense argument that will help mitigate any penalties a judge might levy against your child. An attorney can serve as a valuable ally when it comes to protecting your child's rights once formal charges have been filed.