When the Line Between Juvenile and Adult Court Gets Blurred

⚖️ One of the Scariest Questions a Parent Can Ask

When a child is arrested — especially for something serious — one of the first fears parents have is:

“Are they going to charge my kid as an adult?”

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've helped families across Ruston and North Louisiana deal with this terrifying possibility. Whether your child is 14 or 17, the idea of them being sent through the adult criminal system is overwhelming — and potentially life-changing.

Here's what Louisiana law actually says about trying minors as adults — and what you can do to protect your child.

👶 Louisiana's General Rule: Under 18 = Juvenile Court

Most minors arrested in Louisiana will go through juvenile court, which is focused on:

• Rehabilitation

• Confidentiality

• Avoiding permanent records

• Alternative sentencing like counseling, community service, or diversion

But for certain crimes — and certain ages — the law allows prosecutors to try minors as adults.

🔁 When Can a Minor Be Charged as an Adult in Louisiana?

Louisiana allows minors to be transferred to adult court in two main ways:

1. Mandatory Transfer

If your child is 15 or older and charged with:

• First- or second-degree murder

• Aggravated rape

• Aggravated kidnapping

…the district attorney must charge them as an adult.

2. Discretionary Transfer

If your child is 14 or older and charged with:

• Certain violent felonies (e.g., armed robbery, attempted murder, carjacking, etc.)

…the DA may request a transfer to adult court. The judge decides after a hearing.

🛑 Why Being Tried as an Adult Is So Serious

If your child is charged as an adult, they'll face:

• Public court proceedings (not sealed or confidential)

• Harsher sentencing guidelines

• The possibility of being held in adult jail or prison

• A permanent adult criminal record, which is much harder to expunge

📌 Even if they're still under 18, adult charges can impact college admissions, scholarships, employment, and military eligibility.

🛡️ How We Fight Back

If your child is facing adult charges, we act fast to:

• Challenge the transfer and fight to keep the case in juvenile court

• Argue that your child is amenable to rehabilitation

• Present school records, mental health evaluations, and other personal factors

• Push for alternative resolutions that keep your child out of prison

• Negotiate with the DA for reduced charges or treatment-based outcomes

At Lawrence Law Firm, we believe that children deserve second chances — not prison sentences.

🧠 What Parents Can Do

✅ Hire a defense attorney immediately if the crime could be considered violent or involves a weapon
✅ Ask directly whether the DA plans to seek adult prosecution
✅ Do not let your child talk to police without legal representation
✅ Start collecting documents that show your child's academic history, mental health, family support, or growth potential

Even if the case begins in adult court, we may still be able to transfer it back to juvenile jurisdiction — but time is critical.

📞 Your Child's Future Is Still in Your Hands

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a Louisiana criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect children from adult prosecution.
🖥️ Or [schedule a confidential consultation] today.

A mistake in adolescence shouldn't carry a lifelong sentence. Let's fight for a better outcome.

🔜 Up Next in the Series:

Post #7: What to Expect at a Juvenile Court Hearing in Louisiana

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.