Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Pressing assault charges on a minor

My 11-year-old son has been repeatedly hit, punched and nearly pushed down a flight of stairs by another 11-year-old at his school. We have tried Conflict resolution with the school admin. and school police officer. The boy was told explicitly by the officer never to touch my son again or he would be charged. It happened again today. What are our options and how do we proceed? We do not want to ruin this child's life, but we are affraid of what he might do next. He has defied the school administration as well as the verbal warning of the police officer. Do we charge him with assault? Does my son, as the victom, need a lawyer. How does the process work?


Asked on 2/28/08, 6:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Leland Garvin Garvin Law Firm

Re: Pressing assault charges on a minor

As far as whether or not you press charges that is a personal decision.

If you are unsatisfied with the actions of the school resource officer you could call the local town police or the county police. If you are still unsatisfied you could go to the state attorneys office and ask them to file charges.

The juvenile system in the state of Florida is designed to rehabilitate and all charges as a juvenile will eventually come off of the childs record 5 years after he reaches the age of majority.

From your zip code it appears that you live in broward county; I was a juvenile prosecutor here in broward and would be glad to discuss how to proceed and what to expect.

Give me a ring at the office or shoot me an email with any other questions.

-Leland

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Answered on 2/28/08, 6:45 pm


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