The laws for owning a firearm vary depending on where you live in the United States. All states prohibit the ownership and use of guns to some extent. In Florida, there are concealed carry laws that allow you to carry a firearm on your person if you obtain the correct licensure. If you’re under the age of 18, however, possession of a firearm is strictly prohibited by the law.
Many families in Florida believe in being able to carry a gun and teach their children gun safety rules at a very young age. Despite proper training and experience, however, any child found with a gun in their possession is subject to serious charges. If your child or another person under the age of 18 has been charged with juvenile possession of a firearm, an experienced juvenile defense attorney with experience handling firearm cases can assist you.
At The Umansky Law Firm, our team of highly trained Orlando juvenile firearm possession lawyer has vast experience representing clients in firearm cases. They will help you and your family navigate your case and win back the life you once knew.
The basic law states that no person under the age of 18 is allowed to be in possession of a firearm. This includes both loaded and unloaded firearms of any kind. The only exception to the rule is if a youth between the ages of 16-18 is using a firearm under strict adult supervision. Even then, the firearm must be used in a safe location such as a shooting range or while hunting.
When a youth without proper training carries a firearm, there are numerous risks involved. In fact, more than 3,000 juveniles are killed each year because of firearm-related injuries. Violent shootings, suicides, and accidents are included in the total. Parents and other adults can prevent firearm-related deaths by:
Although it’s never a good idea for juveniles to be around firearms without proper training and strict supervision, there are certain circumstances a prosecution must prove to successfully convict them of possession of a firearm.
For a juvenile to be charged and convicted of possession of a firearm, the prosecution must be able to prove that a juvenile was holding the firearm or had it in an easily accessible place. Likewise, if a juvenile is carrying a firearm in their vehicle or backpack, they can also be charged and convicted.
It’s important to note that a juvenile has rights just like an adult. If law enforcement cannot easily see the firearm, they must have an official warrant to search areas such as car consoles or backpacks. If your child or a young person you know was wrongly charged with possession, the help of a credible attorney can save them from the serious penalties they face.
Any time a juvenile is charged with possession of a firearm, the possible consequences are severe. Some of the most common penalties for juvenile possession of a firearm include:
Those penalties are common for a first offense, which is considered a misdemeanor according to Florida law. If a person under 18 is charged with possession of a firearm multiple times, the penalties become more severe. Furthermore, it’s difficult for any juvenile with firearm charges to:
Experienced defense attorneys understand that the best defense strategies come from knowing the details surrounding a case. At The Umansky Law Firm, our team of experienced attorneys takes the time to learn about each client and what led them to face these charges in the first place. Some of the most successful defenses have been built upon strategies that include:
If there’s a unique factor about your case that you believe could aid in your defense, be sure to share every detail with your defense attorney.
We have a team of Orlando juvenile firearm possession lawyers with more than 100 years of combined experience defending criminal cases. We represent people who are in a fight for their lives with an intimidating adversary. Over the decades, we have won thousands of cases for clients across Central Florida and want to help you too.
As former prosecutors, the attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm know the best defense strategies and how to uniquely tailor them to fit your case. To schedule a free consultation and learn how The Umansky Law Firm can help you, call our office or contact us online.
Don’t wait until tomorrow. We believe you deserve your second chance today.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
