Many of us can likely remember back to our teenage years and recall one or more things we did of which we're not proud. From sneaking out of a parent's home to attend an underage drinking party to experimenting with drugs to stealing clothing or other items from a...
Juvenile Crimes/Delinquency
Alternative sentencing programs provide hope for juvenile offenders
Growing up, every Minnesota resident can likely recall doing something they shouldn't have done and that may have even been illegal. From underage drinking to breaking and entering, teens sometimes make mistakes that can have serious and far-reaching implications. In...
Defending against criminal charges requires individualized approach
Anyone who has ever been arrested and charged with committing a crime, understands how scary and devastating the experience can be. An arrest and criminal conviction can negatively impact an individual’s life in numerous and unexpected ways. From a juvenile who is...
Most serious charges against teen accused of plotting mass shooting dismissed
Minneapolis area residents likely recall hearing about 17-year-old John LaDue's arrest last spring. The teen was arrested after a woman became suspicious of his behavior at a storage facility and called police. Upon finding LaDue at the storage site, police also...
Why would a juvenile confess to a crime he or she did not commit?
When an individual who is accused of committing a crime subsequently confesses to committing the crime, it seems likely he or she is guilty. Research indicates, however, this frequently isn’t the case in a large percentage of confessions involving juvenile offenders....
Mental illness often undiagnosed and untreated in juvenile suspects
The sheer number of recent violent U.S. juvenile crimes have become the center of much heartache, outrage and debate. As politicians argue over gun laws, schools take steps to protect against possible violent acts and Minnesota parents worry every time their children...
Juveniles with mental illnesses belong in treatment, not prison
We recently discussed in a blog post concerns related to the notion that Minnesota jails and prisons are becoming holding pens for individuals in desperate need of serious psychiatric and medical care. Just this week, a news story provided details about a 17-year-old...
After high court ruling, fate of 8 prior juvenile offenders hangs in balance
Parents with teenage sons or daughters can attest to the fact that this age group often acts on impulse and are highly influenced by friends. For some teens, aggressive and impulsive tendencies lead them to drink, use drugs and engage in reckless behaviors. When an...
Minnesota student could face felony for tweet
Typically when we hear about cyber bullying we think about students bullying other students. But a recent incident in Rogers, Minnesota, shows that teachers, too, can be bullied on the Internet. A well-liked student athlete could now face felony charges for his...
Ramsey County boy faces felony after taking bus on joy ride
What may have started as an innocent prank has led to serious criminal charges against a 14-year-old Ramsey County boy. On Monday morning, the driver of a Centerline Charter school bus went into a gas station in Roseville to get a cup of coffee and when she came back...