When a juvenile in New Jersey breaks the law, they are going to face similar consequences to adults who break the same laws. However, juveniles are treated a little differently because of the fact that they are under 18 years old and still have a long life ahead of them. When a juvenile breaks the law, the courts see it as an “offense,” not a crime. Another difference between offenses committed by juveniles and crimes committed by adults 18 and over is that these matters are handled in the family division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, as opposed to in the criminal court system. Juvenile offense cases are not heard by a jury of their peers. In addition, New Jersey requires that the juvenile who is accused of committing an offense to be represented by a criminal defense attorney. The parent or guardian is required legally to cover the costs of the attorney unless they can prove to the court that they can truly not afford the services of an attorney, in which case, the juvenile will be appointed a public defender to represent them.
It is very important that a juvenile has an attorney who can fight for their future. If your child requires an attorney, contact us today.
The dedicated and compassionate attorneys at Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. would be happy to provide you with assistance in your case and help you protect your future when so much is on the line. Contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can assess the specific circumstances surrounding your lawsuit.
