When the System Sees a Threat — and You Need Someone Who Sees a Kid

🔫 One Charge. Two Paths. One Kid's Future on the Line.

A 16-year-old is caught with a handgun in a backpack during a traffic stop. No shots fired. No threats made. No criminal history. Just a scared teenager, a poor decision, and a serious charge.

In one case, the teen is charged as an adult and faces prison.
In the other, he's kept in juvenile court, completes a program, and walks away with a clean record.

We've seen both outcomes at Lawrence Law Firm, and we've helped families across Ruston and North Louisiana fight to keep their children in rehabilitation-focused systems — not prison pipelines.

Here's how it plays out.

⚖️ Scenario A: Juvenile Jurisdiction, Intervention, and Redemption

Antonio is 16. No prior record. He's caught with a gun in a car he shares with a cousin. Police arrest him. The DA files in juvenile court — not adult.

His family hires a lawyer within 24 hours.

🔍 What We Do:

• Make immediate contact with juvenile prosecutors and the court

• Present family support, school attendance, and lack of criminal intent

• Advocate for mental health screening and counseling

• Push for a pre-adjudication program focused on firearm safety and rehabilitation

✅ Outcome:

• Case resolved in juvenile court

• Record sealed upon completion of terms

• No adult conviction, no jail time, no loss of future opportunity

• The child receives guidance — not punishment

❌ Scenario B: Transferred to Adult Court, Record That Follows

Darius is also 16. Same charge. But:

• Police refer the case directly to the DA

• The DA seeks transfer to adult court under Louisiana's discretionary rules

• Darius's family doesn't hire a lawyer until after the first hearing

• No advocacy, no mitigation, no context provided to the court

🚫 Consequences:

• Transferred to adult court as a juvenile

• Conviction on public adult criminal record

• Jail time, probation, and long-term supervision

• Barriers to college, military service, and jobs requiring a clean background

🧠 The Lesson: Who Your Child's Lawyer Is — and When They Call One — Makes All the Difference

Gun charges involving minors are taken extremely seriously in Louisiana. But that doesn't mean every child needs to be treated like a hardened criminal.

The court has discretion. The DA has discretion.

You just need a lawyer who knows how to use it.

🛡️ How We Help When Juveniles Are Caught With Firearms

At Lawrence Law Firm, we:

• Act fast to keep the case in juvenile court

• Build a profile of your child's life, support system, and redeeming traits

• Pursue diversion, treatment programs, and sealed outcomes

• Fight like hell to avoid transfers to adult court

• Help families understand what's happening every step of the way

📞 Your Child Is Still a Child — Let's Make Sure the Court Sees That

📞 Call 318.232.4000 now to speak with a juvenile defense attorney in Ruston, Louisiana
🖥️ Or [schedule a confidential consultation] online

We don't let one charge turn into a life sentence. Let's fight for your child's future.

🔜 Coming Up in the Series:

Blog #6: Student Drug Arrest — Suspension vs. Counseling and Clean Record

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.