New Jersey Juvenile Lawyer

Juvenile justice is the area of criminal law applicable to persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts. In New Jersey, the age for criminal culpability is set at 18 years. Juvenile law is mainly governed by the juvenile code. The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment.
 
Juveniles can be transferred into adult court if the juvenile court waives or relinquishes its jurisdiction. This can occur when the crime is serious and the child cannot be rehabilitated.

Crimes and behaviors youth may be arrested for:

Violent Crimes: Aggravated assault, Homicide, Rape, Robbery

Property Crimes:  Arson, Auto theft, Burglary, Larceny/Theft

Other Crimes:  Disorderly conduct, Driving under the influence, Drug abuse, Drunkenness, Embezzlement, Forgery/Counterfeiting, Fraud, Gambling,  Liquor law violations, Loitering,  Offenses against family and children,  Probation violations, Prostitution/Commercialized vice, Sex offenses besides rape and prostitution, Simple assault, Stolen property possession, Suspicious behavior, Vagrancy, Vandalism, Weapons possession, Underage alcohol consumption
 
MY MESSAGE TO PARENTS

There is nothing more disturbing to a parent of young teenager than to find out your child has been arrested. As a father, I understand the impulse to both punish and blame yourself for your child's misdeed. However, by hiring me to defend your child, you have taken the first positive step to ensure that this temporary miss-step does not turn into a lasting mistake. When I take on a juvenile case, it is to defend, not coddle your child. The last lesson I want your child to learn is that, "Mom and Dad paid for a lawyer to get me off." The lesson I try to instill in my juvenile clients is that I will try my best to make sure they are treated fairly and try to protect them from obtaining a record which may hinder their future. IT IS UP TO YOUR CHILD TO HELP ME ACHIEVE THIS GOAL

MY MESSAGE TO TEENAGERS

As a juvenile defendant, you may retain an attorney at any stage of your case, whether it is during the investigation or the day before arraignment. My advice is the sooner the better. You may believe that you can represent yourself and, of course, you have the legal right to do so, but this is often a bad idea. Prosecutors are well versed in the law and will NEVER have your best interest in mind. In fact, just the opposite is true.

You need someone who speaks hsi or her language and is not afraid to assert your rights at all times. More important, you need to protect yourself, from yourself. Often, people who defend themselves run the risk of running off at the mouth in an attempt to lobby for their own cause. In doing so, they often make a bad impression on the prosecutor and add fuel to the fire. The urgency to impart your side of the story can backfire.  You need a "buffer" between you and the prosecution and the judge. That buffer is me.

I understand the juvenile court rules and procedures, which are a great deal different from those in the adult court system. I am a former Assistant Prosecutor and this background gives me a unique insight and access when dealing with members of my former office.