Teens who are arrested are not necessarily bad kids. Often, they are simply young people who made a mistake. It can feel very overwhelming for a parent to get a call saying that their child has been arrested, so it is important to keep this perspective in mind.
At the same time, parents often find themselves wondering why their child broke the law. Parents can see the bigger picture, and they worry about what this may mean for their child’s future if they end up with a criminal record. Could it derail plans for college or future employment opportunities? Why would their child take this type of risk?
There are many different reasons why this happens. Let’s look at two.
Peer pressure
First, some teens commit crimes because of peer pressure. This is often seen with underage drinking offenses. A high school student may never have consumed alcohol before and may never think about drinking at home. However, if they find themselves at a party where members of their peer group are drinking, they could be pressured into breaking the law because they want to fit in with the group.
Brain development
Additionally, human brain development takes time. This is especially true for the parts of the brain that address impulse control and decision-making. These areas of the brain are not fully developed in teens and generally will not be until a person reaches their mid-20s. For this reason, teens sometimes make poor decisions or take unnecessary risks because they are not thinking about situations the same way an adult would.
If you are a parent whose child has been arrested, it is critical to understand what legal steps to take and what defense options can help protect your child’s future.