Q: How come they charged my son as an adult at age 17
A: Although it might seem unfair Wisconsin law declares that all persons charged with a crime who have obtained the age of 17 will be charged in adult court. You might not be old enough to purchase tobacco, but you are an adult at the age of 17 if charged with any crime. The legal system can often be slow moving, and we don't want to see adult defendants litigating cases in juvenile court. Some other serious crimes are tried in adult court prior to the age of 17. In these cases there might be a waiver hearing to determine whether or not the case will be heard in adult court. If a prosecutor intentionally waits until a person turned 17 to charge them, that person should file a motion challenging the charges.
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