Young adults lack the impulse control that adults eventually develop. Their youthful brains can turn curiosity into criminal activity relatively quickly. Juveniles often face criminal charges for the impulsive decisions that they make.
Young adults may find themselves facing allegations of offenses ranging from fraud and liquor law violations to curfew violations. When looking at juvenile arrest statistics from 2020, the most recent year with data available, three crimes stand out as the most common among juvenile defendants.
What offenses are most common, and what consequences may they carry?
1. Simple assault
Disagreements can easily escalate into physical confrontations, especially when young people are unaware that their actions could lead to prosecution. In 2020, police officers arrested 70,940 juveniles for simple assault, while another 19,140 faced arrest for aggravated assault. The penalties for assault depend on the severity of the crime and whether there are aggravating factors, such as the presence of a weapon. Probation is common, but the courts could also impose an order of house arrest. Young adults might also face adult penalties in more serious cases, including incarceration and fines.
2. Larceny offenses
Theft is one of the most common crimes committed by young adults. Frequently, they steal from retail shops, from their schools or possibly from people that they know. Theft offenses resulted in the arrest of 46,700 juveniles in 2020. There were 11,660 arrests for motor vehicle theft. The penalties possible depend on the value of the assets stolen and the nature of the property. Once the property’s value reaches $750, the state could pursue felony charges. Penalties could include jail time and fines, but the exact consequences depend on the property taken and the history of the juvenile accused. Even a first-time misdemeanor offense could carry $1,000 in fines and up to a year in state custody.
3. Drug violations
Drug offenses round out the top three crimes committed by young adults. There were 42,280 arrests of juveniles for drug-related crimes in 2020. The exact penalties that young adults face depend on prior arrests, the type of drug and even the quantity of drugs that police officers find. Drug possession could be a misdemeanor, but the state could pursue felony charges and impose harsh penalties for selling drugs to others at a school. Juveniles may even face adult charges and penalties.
Juveniles facing criminal charges are at risk of numerous penalties that could change the course of their lives. Helping a young adult fight back against pending criminal charges can help to mitigate the impact of youthful mistakes and misunderstandings.
