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As a parent, the last thing you want is for your child to be labeled a criminal. But, if your child is engaged in criminal activity, you need to know about it, and you need to do everything you can to help your child avoid making mistakes that could impact the rest of his or her life. But, if your child won’t talk to you about it, how can you find out? In this article, our New Jersey juvenile lawyer discusses five signs that a child may be involved in criminal activity.
1. Your Child Isn’t Telling You the Truth About His or Her Whereabouts
If your child is lying about where he or she is going after school or when he or she is spending time with friends, this could just be an early effort to establish independence. But, it could also be a sign that your child is involved in criminal activity—especially if it occurs in combination with the other signs discussed below.
2. Your Child Isn’t Coming Home On Time
Staying out past curfew is another possible sign of involvement in criminal activity. Although, here too, breaking curfew doesn’t necessarily mean that your child is out breaking the law. If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, it is important not to jump to conclusions. However, as discussed above, parents ultimately need to do what they think is best for their children’s long-term growth, independence and wellbeing.
3. Your Child Has Cash or Items He or She Can’t Afford
One of the most common signs that a child is involved in criminal activity is having excess cash or items that he or she can’t afford. If your child comes home with expensive shoes or new electronics and you know that your child couldn’t have bought them with his or her allowance or part-time job, then there is a chance that they are the product of juvenile misconduct.
4. Your Child’s Friends are Involved in Criminal Activity
Peer pressure is a very real thing for pre-teens and teens, and, as a result, if your child’s friends are involved in criminal activity, your child may be involved in illegal activity as well. If one of your children’s friends has been arrested or charged with a crime, it will be worth talking to your child to try and make sure he or she is on the right path.
5. Your Child Won’t Let You Access His or Her Phone or Computer
These days, an increasing number of crimes are taking place online. If your child won’t let you access his or her phone or computer, this may be an effort to protect his or her privacy, but it could also be an effort to hide online criminal activity.
Speak with a New Jersey Juvenile Lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.
Each New Jersey juvenile lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. provides experienced legal representation for minors charged with juvenile offenses. If your child needs legal representation, call 877-435-6371 or contact us online to arrange a confidential consultation.
Over 20 attorneys at HCK have extensive experience in defending juvenile and criminal court cases as they were former assistant prosecutors and/or police officers for a combined total of over 600 years of law enforcement experience. You can find out more about them on our site, and you can call Managing Partner Ron Helmer on his cell phone at 609 685-0665.
