Two teenagers were arrested in Plantation when the Mercedes Benz that they had carjacked at gunpoint collided with another vehicle and burst into flames. According to local police, the car accident occurred near Northwest 70th Avenue and West Broward Blvd, and after the crash, the two boys, both age 16 fled on foot. They were apprehended by Fort Lauderdale and Plantation police officers a short time later. A firearm was found in the car that the teens were driving.
The teens face charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and leaving the scene of an accident causing serious injury. Presumably, the gun found in the car was the one the two teens may have used to carjack the Mercedes-Benz days earlier. The vehicle was taken while the Fort Lauderdale couple was stopped at a stop light, the passenger pulled from the vehicle and threatened with a gun to her head.
Tried as Adults
In Florida, the minimum age to be tried as an adult is 14, and the decision is at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney. There is no minimum age for capital offenses. If the offenders were previously tried as an adult for an offense, they would continue to be tried for new crimes as an adult. The ruling is called ” once an adult, always an adult”.
Under Florida law, Grand Theft is a felony, and defined as the intentional and unlawful taking of property valued at $300.00 or more, and is punishable by prison, probation, fines, restitution, and a permanent criminal record. If tried as adults, the two teens could face first-degree felony charges that carry penalties of up to 30 years in prison, and a $10,000 fine.
If you have been injured in a Broward County motor vehicle accident, please call the Broward County personal injury lawyers at Law Offices of Joseph Maus. We are ready and waiting to help you to sue the negligent parties that were responsible for your accident.