Anyone arrested and charged with an offense should be concerned about how it will affect their future. When a juvenile is arrested, it is extremely important that they be given a good criminal defense. Children by nature are impulsive, inexperienced and unfamiliar with what consequences could result from their actions. Children often do things motivated completely by emotion and childhood can be a very confusing time.

One 11-year-old Portland boy experienced an exceptionally challenging and confusing year after his 14-year-old sister was murdered, her body found buried on Rocky Butte. Now, the mother is helping fight for her son's rights after he was charged with multiple offenses rising out of an incident on a TriMet MAX train.

A woman called 9-1-1 on Thursday evening after she saw a gun resting in the boy's waistband while he was lifting up his shirt. The boy had allegedly boarded the train at around 8:20 in the evening with a group of teenagers ranging in age. The woman noticed the weapon after an argument started when she said something to the group after they bumped into her.

The young boy was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, menacing, interfering with public transportation, possession of a loaded firearm and second-degree disorderly conduct. He stood in front of the court wearing detention center clothes that were too big for him with tears in his eyes.

His mother stated that while the recent family death is not an excuse, detention was not what the child needed at the moment. She asked the court that he be placed with his aunt, a once certified foster parent. A hearing will be held on Monday to determine placement of the boy.

Source: OregonLive.com, "11-year-old Portland boy accused of threatening woman with loaded gun on MAX cries during arraignment," Maxine Bernstein, Jan. 27, 2012