When parents hear that their child has been arrested or accused of a crime, they are often shocked. They will say things like, “My child would never do that.” They cannot believe that their child would break the law because they have never seen this type of behavior before.
But what some studies have found is that most juvenile criminal activity takes place in a group setting. According to one report, this is true for roughly 75% of these cases.
It is understandable that parents are surprised or have not seen this type of behavior before. It may not be something their child would ever do on their own. But in a group, they may be susceptible to peer pressure, which could lead to criminal activity that is outside of the norm.
2 potential examples
For instance, shoplifting is a common teen crime. Many teenagers do it for the thrill or because they have been dared. They do not actually need to steal the items, but they do not want to back down in front of their friends.
Similarly, many high school students and college students are arrested for underage drinking. Once again, the teen may not have any interest in drinking alone. But if they are at a party where everyone is drinking, they do not want to feel ostracized from the group by being the only person who refuses to do so. They start drinking because of peer pressure.
Getting arrested at such a young age can have a major impact on someone’s future. It is important for parents and young people to know about their legal defense options. Addressing the underlying causes of the behavior is something that can be handled outside of court.