Arrest of Teens in Miami Prompts Questions about the Rights of Juvenile Criminal Defendants Under Florida Criminal Laws

Two 17-year-old teenagers are now facing criminal charges as a result of an altercation that ended in a shooting in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. According to local news reports, on Friday, May 2, at around 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon, several teenagers allegedly got into an argument “over a bike and territory.” Investigators believe that the incident occurred at Henderson Park, which is located at 971 Second Street in Little Havana. The two 17-year-old teens were reported to have allegedly “…placed their hand in the form of a gang sign towards the victim and witnesses and offered to fight them.” Miami Police also noted that, “The victim couldn’t hear them clearly; instead, he heard them saying something about the motorcycle he had parked inside the park.” The police report in the case went on to describe that “The victim walked towards his bike and tried to ride away, but the bike wouldn’t start. [One of the teens] and the unidentified offender both walked together in unison towards the victim and witnesses and the unidentified offender, with a black firearm in his hand, shot at the victim, striking him in the left arm.” One of the teens then let the alleged shooter “take his scooter as a getaway vehicle,” while the other teens fled on foot. Miami Police reportedly later apprehended the young individuals near Northwest Seventh Avenue and Second Street. One of the teens is now facing attempted first-degree murder charges. At the time of the most recent reports on the incident, it was “not clear” what charges, if any, the other teen who was allegedly involved faces. The incident is under investigation.

Teens Have Rights Under Florida Laws 

There is no doubt that being arrested for a crime when you are a teenager can be especially frightening and confusing, and juvenile defendants and their parents may not know what their rights are, or where to turn for legal help. The truth of the matter is that just like adult criminal defendants, juvenile defendants are deemed to be innocent until they are proven guilty, and they are entitled to a strong defense of their case and representation by a Miami criminal attorney. There is no doubt that being convicted of criminal charges as a juvenile in Miami can lead to harsh consequences that can follow a juvenile defendant into their later years. Teenage criminal defendants in Miami may have a permanent criminal record, unless they take action to expunge or seal the record in their case. As such, it is important for Miami teens who have been charged with crimes in Miami to contact an experienced Miami criminal attorney as soon as possible about their case.

Finding Legal Help in Miami – Miami Criminal Lawyer

If you are in the Miami area and you need legal help defending yourself against the criminal charges you are facing, contact the experienced Miami juvenile crime attorneys at AsiliA Law Firm. The experienced juvenile crime attorneys at AsiliA Law Firm are here to help teenage criminal defendants in Miami get justice. Contact AsiliA Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

local10.com/news/local/2025/05/03/teens-arrested-in-shooting-of-17-year-old-over-a-bike-and-territory-in-little-havana/