South Florida Teens Charged in Dragging Death of Boy
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that two teenagers were recently given $50,000 bail in connection with the road rash death of another teen in an alleged robbery gone bad.
Our Fort Lauderdale defense attorneys are former prosecutors who handle all types of criminal cases, including those involving juveniles. While the state may try to charge a teen as an adult, it’s possible that in some cases the charges can be referred to juvenile court. Juvenile crimes can be devastating for a teen’s reputation and future.
In this case, Pembroke Pines Police allege a teen was trying to sell about $25 in marijuana. While one of the suspects was examining the marijuana, the other allegedly sped away with the victim clinging to the vehicle for about 280 feet before he struck his head and suffered severe head trauma. He died two days later at Memorial Regional Hospital.
The newspaper quotes the police report, which states the two teens intended to rob the victim, yet prosecutors haven’t charged the pair with robbery. The state has charged the teens, who are 17 and 19, with manslaughter with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and attempting to buy marijuana. The newspaper reports they could each face up to 31 years in prison.
But it appears the state doesn’t believe the two intended to commit a robbery. In cases involving teenagers, often it’s possible to convince prosecutors through expert witnesses and other means that the defendant should be charged in juvenile court, which can substantially reduce the potential sentence.
Also in cases where the co-defendants are teenagers, it’s possible that witness credibility is at issue. All these are areas that should be explored by an experiened West Palm Beach defense team.
Manslaughter is defined as the negligent killing of a person without lawful justification. In Florida, manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in a state prison. A teenager sentenced to such a lengthy term in prison is a shame, but it can be avoided in some cases. Fight the charges, but choose the right lawyer.
If you need to speak with a juvenile crimes defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, contact Leifert & Leifert at 954-523-9600 or 561-988-8000 for a free consultation.
