The large majority of juvenile crimes are usually misdemeanor crimes, such as vandalism, shoplifting, and simple assault. With this, most crimes committed by juveniles are first-time offenses. However, there are also numerous juvenile felonies that take place each year for far more serious crimes, including homicide and grand theft. Those involved with the juvenile justice system are generally committed to rehabilitating individuals charged with a juvenile offense in place of punishing them. This gives juvenile offenders the chance to rebuild their lives and avoid jail time. Alternative sentences may include community service work, educational and rehabilitation courses, payment of criminal fines. It is important to keep in mind that in the event a juvenile commits a serious crime, he or she may be tried as an adult. In these instances, the juvenile defendant will face the same punishment as an adult who committed the same crime.

Below we will go over the top juvenile crimes, as well as a short description of the most typical cases under each crime. If your child has been charged with a crime as a juvenile, it is important for you to contact a juvenile crime lawyer in Oklahoma at AMA Law. Our knowledgeable team of lawyers will be able to offer advice, guidance, and legal representation that you can count on.

Common Juvenile Offenses

Here are the 15 most common juvenile crimes as of 2014:

1. Theft or Larceny – Such as shoplifting, stealing a bicycle, taking items from backpacks and lockers
2. Vandalism – Such as tagging and graffiti, marking on public restroom walls, keying a car, cutting car tires
3. Alcohol Offenses – Such as underage consumption of alcohol, underage purchase of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol, providing alcohol to underage individuals, possessing an open container in public or in a vehicle
4. Disorderly Conduct – Such as fighting in public, cursing at a teacher, indecent exposure
5. Simple Assault or Battery – Such as serious bullying, child/parent physical argument, shoving or pushing a person
6. Marijuana Possession
7. Tobacco Offenses – Such as illegally purchasing tobacco, chewing or smoking tobacco at school, providing tobacco to youth
8. Curfew Violations – Such as sneaking out of the house after curfew, violating a park curfew
9. School Disciplinary Offense – Such as disrupting class, starting a food fight, cheating
10. Traffic Violations – Such as speeding, failing to yield, not wearing a seat belt, riding in the back of a pickup truck
11. Truancy – Such as cutting class, being tardy too many times
12. Criminal Trespass – Such as entering a vacant building, returning to a store after being banned
13. Mischief – Such as damaging a mailbox, egging or toilet-papering a house
14. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Such as carrying a marijuana pipe with resin
15. Harassment – Such as bullying, making prank phone calls

To learn more about juvenile crimes or to schedule an appointment with a juvenile crime lawyer in Oklahoma, please contact AMA Law today. We understand how stressful and serious these types of charges can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping you and your child achieve the best possible outcome.