Your Child's Mistake Should Not Be Labeled as Juvenile Delinquency
The primary goal of juvenile courts in New Jersey is to seek rehabilitation of youthful offenders, not conviction. When an adolescent or teenager faces a criminal charge in juvenile court, there is more to consider than just evidence of guilt or innocence. A young person's future is at stake. Juvenile court officials will be basing their decisions on whether the young person simply made a mistake or the offense was part of a pattern that indicates the child is in trouble in some way.
New Jersey law makes it mandatory for youthful offenders to be represented by an attorney in juvenile court proceedings. As a juvenile court defense attorney, one of my most important jobs is to make sure your child receives justice appropriate for the offense.
That means preparing your case to present the strongest possible evidence, working to avoid a conviction and harsh penalties that are often not in the best interest of your child or the community. I work with the judge, prosecutor and social welfare officials to find solutions that include interventions and probation to keep your child in school and heading toward a meaningful future.
If you are the parent or guardian of a young person facing a juvenile criminal charge in Atlantic County, Ocean County or Monmouth County, New Jersey, call the Law Offices of James P. Brady to schedule a consultation about the circumstances of the case.
I have experience representing the families of adolescents and teens in many types of juvenile criminal defense matters, including:
- Drug Possession or Distribution Charges
- Assault, Fighting and Violent Crimes
- DWI Charges or Underage Possession of Alcohol
- Driving with a Suspended License, Driving Without a License
- Sex Offenses
- Theft, Burglary, Shoplifting
- Destruction of Property, Vandalism, Criminal Trespass
- Disorderly Conduct
At Every Step, Having an Experienced Juvenile Court Lawyer Is Critical
- Summons/Warrant: Following the complaint of a criminal act, if the court determines that a child should face charges in juvenile court, the parents (guardian) and youthful offender will receive an official summons from the court. If the offense is serious enough, an arrest warrant may be issued to hold the child in custody at a juvenile detention center.
- Adjudication: The county prosecutor is responsible for weighing the evidence and severity of the offense to determine whether the offender should be tried as an adult or processed through the juvenile court system. If the decision is made to keep the case in juvenile court, a complaint of "delinquency" will be filed, rather than a specific criminal charge. The prosecutor may also waive the adjudication decision and transfer the matter to a juvenile court judge to decide. I use my experience to fight aggressively to keep the case in the juvenile court system.
- Dispositional Hearing: Cases in juvenile court are decided by a bench trial, with the judge solely responsible for the final ruling, rather than a jury. It is important to have an attorney who understands the process, rules of evidence and strategies for working out a fair resolution before the case proceeds to trial. I work aggressively to find every available resolution that will protect your child's future, including resolutions such as probation, counseling, community service and restitution.
Experienced Toms River and Lakewood Juvenile Crime Lawyer
From my office in Toms River, I advise and represent clients in communities throughout Ocean County, Atlantic County and Monmouth County, New Jersey. Call me toll free at 800-599-1882 or contact my office by e-mail to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Toms River juvenile court lawyer today.
