Understanding Juvenile Detention, Adult Jail, and What Happens Next

🧨 “Are They Going to Lock My Kid Up?”

This is one of the first fears every parent has after their child is arrested — whether their child is 16 or 19.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've talked with hundreds of families across Ruston and North Louisiana who've gotten that phone call. Your child is in trouble, and you're trying to figure out:

Are they sitting in a jail cell right now? Will they stay there? Are they going to prison?

Let's clear up the confusion. The answers depend on:

• Your child's age

• The seriousness of the charge

• And how quickly you get legal representation

👶 If Your Child Is Under 18 (a Minor)

If your child is arrested before their 18th birthday, they'll typically be processed through the juvenile justice system, not the adult criminal system.

That means:

• They may be held temporarily in a juvenile detention facility, not an adult jail.

• The court must review whether detention is necessary within a few days.

• If the offense is nonviolent, release to parents or guardians is common — often with conditions.

• Juveniles are usually not held long-term unless the charge is serious or they have a history of prior offenses.

📌 Juvenile jail is not the same as adult jail — but it's still frightening, and your child needs protection.

🎓 If Your Child Is 18 or Older (College Student)

Once your child turns 18, they're legally an adult — and that means they can absolutely be:

• Booked into adult jail

• Held on bond (bail) until their court date

• Sentenced to parish jail or state prison if convicted

In Ruston and nearby areas, we regularly defend Louisiana Tech, Grambling, and other college students who end up in jail for first-time offenses — sometimes for:

• DWI or drug possession

• Battery or fights off-campus

• Theft or vandalism

• Gun possession or improper transport

⚠️ Even a misdemeanor can carry jail time if not handled properly — and many students don't realize that probation, fines, or license suspensions can also disrupt their entire academic path.

🛡️ What We Do to Keep Kids and Students Out of Jail

At Lawrence Law Firm, our first goal in every youth case is simple:

Keep your child out of jail and get them back to school, work, and life.

Here's how we do it:

• Push for release without bond (especially for juveniles and nonviolent offenses)

• Negotiate bail reductions or release on recognizance

• Propose diversion programs, probation, or treatment instead of jail time

• Protect academic status by avoiding convictions that trigger school disciplinary action

• Fight the charges directly — and beat them whenever possible

Whether your child is a high school student or a college freshman, we focus on keeping them free and protecting their future.

🧭 What You Should Do Right Now

✅ Ask where your child is being held
✅ Ask if a bond has been set (and how much)
✅ Do not wait for court-appointed help if you can avoid it
✅ Call a local defense attorney immediately to take over the case before it spirals

📞 Your Child Deserves a Second Chance — Not a Jail Cell

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who defends both juveniles and college students in Ruston and beyond.
🖥️ Or [schedule a confidential consultation] right away.

Jail doesn't have to be the next step. Let us help keep your child's life on track.

🔜 Up Next in the Series:

Post #6: Can My Child Be Tried as an Adult 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.