New Jersey Juvenile Crime Lawyers

Children arrested for criminal offenses may face different array of penalties and procedures as compared to adult offenders. Children easily make mistakes. They are impressionable and easily swayed by their peers. They are also inexperienced in life and in decision-making, and therefore, frequently commit errors in judgment.  Moreover, teenagers are sometimes in the wrong place at the wrong time and find themselves easily swept up in an arrest, even if they personally did not commit a crime.  For these reasons, it is important that you secure legal representation for your detained child before criminal investigators speaks to him or her.

While youthful offenders do not typically face the harsh penalties adult offenders encounter. Still serious consequences can result. Even if a child’s case stays in juvenile court, it can result in substantial fines, confinement, and – depending on the seriousness of the offense and whether or not your child is a repeat offender.

Common Juvenile Crime Charges Across New Jersey

Common charges faced by children and teens include:

During our nearly 60 years of practicing inside county, state, and federal courtrooms, we have dealt with all of these charges. We also have extensive experience in dealing with probation violations.

Verdicts adjudicated against a minor may or may not become part of the individual’s permanent record. This factor alone can have monumental impact on your son or daughter’s future, from college applications to employment opportunities.  Prompt action and robust legal representation can make the difference.

Penalties & Jail Time

Under certain circumstances, a person under the age of 18 can be charged as an adult.

One thing to bear in mind, any convicted juvenile offender can face:

  • Fines
  • Restitution
  • Detention
  • Probation and assignment to a supervised work program
  • Commitment to a Community Accountability Program
  • Out of home placement
  • Commitment to the Division of Youth Corrections

Parents of offending juveniles also bear some accountability in the Juvenile Justice System. The court considers you responsible for your child’s action. For this reason, it is possible for you to face:

  • Payment for cost of your child’s care
  • Community service with your offending juvenile
  • Service to the victim that will help rehabilitate your child
  • Required attendance at a parental responsibility program
  • Temporary loss of custody of your child

Parent’s Liability

In addition, outside the juvenile justice system, a parent may be held liable for damages to the victim in a separate civil court action. These cases often turn on knowledge of the child’s behavior, or similar behavior in the past.

Determined Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorneys

Our NJ criminal lawyers can help you understand the rights and options you have when your child is facing a criminal misdemeanor or felony charge, including a crime at school, vandalism or a juvenile sex crime. Our law firm can represent your child at a dependency proceeding and help you seal a juvenile record for offenses once they turn 18. In cases involving expungement or sealing of the juvenile record, it is extremely beneficial to do so because colleges and future employers may look at a person’s criminal background.

Our office can also help with juvenile law appeals as well as sealing juvenile records, to assist in protecting your child’s future.

An allegation of a juvenile crime can have a devastating effect on your child’s reputation, livelihood and overall well being and therefore it is important that a Juvenile case be handled with extreme care and caution by experienced and savvy legal attorneys.

Contact our New Jersey juvenile crime lawyers

If your child was arrested on a Juvenile charge in New Jersey, contact Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC today and we will be more than happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. Our juvenile crimes attorneys keep flexible office hours, with weekend appointments available, and we can meet you in your home if you cannot travel to our office. Juvenile allegations can seriously affect your child’s reputation and ability to maintain or secure future employment.  For a free initial consultation, call us today at (908) 561-5577 or contact us online.  Your initial consultation is free.