The Consequences of Being Convicted as a Juvenile in New Jersey
Families dealing with a juvenile crime are often thrown into emotional turmoil. Even though some juvenile crimes only result in minor penalties such as court-ordered community service, all charges should be taken seriously. Having a criminal record puts juveniles at risk for harsher penalties if they are charged with other offenses in the future. The penalties and consequences of being convicted as a juvenile in New Jersey depends on the prior criminal history of the youth, the circumstances of the crime and whether or not the juvenile admits fault for the incident.
A defendant under the age of 18 will typically be charged as a minor. In cases involving serious crimes such as kidnapping, murder or rape, a minor may be charged as an adult. For those being charged as a minor, New Jersey offers a unique program called the neighborhood justice system. Juveniles who admit fault for a crime may be able to face a panel of neighbors and accept whatever penalties the committee imposes as opposed to going to court. In such cases, local residents can work with the youth to determine the best punishment for the crime committed. If the juvenile refuses to admit fault for the charges, he or she may have no other option but to go to court.
A juvenile crime conviction may result in a wide range of penalties. Unlike adults, the juvenile justice system is built on the principle of education over incarceration. This does not mean, however, that juvenile detention can be avoided in all cases. In addition to detention, volunteer work through community service and rehabilitation services are common forms of punishment.
To understand the penalties your child may face in such cases or to obtain the help your child needs, please contact the law offices of Lependorf & Silverstein at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation. Let our Princeton juvenile crime defense lawyers help you determine the best course of action so that your child can stay out of jail.
