Many people expect children to make mistakes before they reach adulthood. While many of these mistakes typically do not have lasting consequences, some can be quite severe depending on the specific situation. For example, if a juvenile drives under the influence and causes an accident, that mistake could result in criminal charges that could have lasting effects on the person’s life.
It was recently reported that one juvenile was taken into custody in Massachusetts after allegedly causing an accident involving a pedestrian. Apparently, the driver, whose age was not given due to being a minor, failed to keep the vehicle in the correct lane, crossed the opposite travel lane and hit a pedestrian who was on the side of the roadway. The pedestrian was reported as being a woman over the age of 60.
The woman suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident, but reports indicated that she was in stable condition at an area hospital. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and is facing multiple allegations, including driving under the influence of drugs, driving to endanger, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, and more. It was unclear whether the driver was still in custody at the time of the report.
This young person may not have fully thought through the actions that led to this incident, but it is important that he or she now thinks through how to handle the resulting criminal charges. Because the accused individual is a juvenile, the person’s parents may need to explore available legal options to help their child face this serious endeavor. Fortunately, local Massachusetts legal resource may be able to provide valuable information on how juvenile charges are addressed and what defense options may be available.