Though juvenile offenses in New Jersey are taken very seriously, it is important to be aware of how they are treated differently from adult crimes. Any person who is under the age of 18 is considered a juvenile and sometimes, young people commit crimes. However, in New Jersey, juvenile crimes are actually called “offenses.” A juvenile offender will certainly face appropriate penalties for the laws that were broken but the court system also recognizes that young offenders have a lot of growing up to do, preferably outside of a jail that is full of adults.
When a juvenile commits a crime, the proceedings will be addressed in the family division of the New Jersey Superior Court, as opposed to in criminal court. In addition, in order to protect the privacy of juvenile offenders, there is no jury for the proceedings. That being said, New Jersey law requires all juveniles who have been charged with a crime to be represented by a criminal defense attorney. The parents or guardians of the accused will be held responsible for the cost of the attorney. Though the standard is very high, there are some cases in which the court may approve a public defender.
If your child has been charged with a juvenile offense, contact our firm today for quality legal representation that is committed to protecting your child’s future during this difficult time.
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.
