Being arrested as a teenager can be a frightening experience. Unfortunately, criminal charges are the reality that some minors must face over youthful mistakes. For example, a Washington teenager was recently arrested after he allegedly fled from a traffic stop.
On the morning of Dec. 13, 2020, police officers tried to pull over a 16-year-old driver and reportedly found that the license plate came back as stolen. The young boy stopped the vehicle, but then got out and ran away into a nearby wooded area in a residential area. Police followed his footsteps through snow.
Authorities created a perimeter around the area as they searched for the boy. An officer spotted him hiding behind a tree approximately 25 minutes later. Police also say that residents helped them locate the teen and that he was arrested without any problems. Although he was arrested, police did not say whether he appeared to have actually been involved with the vehicle theft. However, they noted that he was the only person in the vehicle at the time.
This teen boy could be facing serious criminal charges at a very young age, potentially altering the course of his future. It can be difficult for teenage offenders in Washington to move forward after a conviction too, as many lose out on important educational and employment opportunities. Mounting a strong defense is usually essential for young defendants in similar situations, and a good first step to doing so is carefully reviewing all charges and evidence alongside an experienced attorney.