New Jersey Teen Faces Burglary Charges
A 16-year-old juvenile and a 22-year-old man have been arrested in connection with a number of burglaries in Cumberland County. According to The News of Cumberland County, the arrests were made on South Avenue in Bridgeton. Police made the arrests after the pair allegedly burglarized a few homes that evening. The juvenile and adult have both been linked to multiple arrests and burglaries. The 16-year-old faces six counts of burglary, six counts of criminal mischief and five counts of theft.
A person is guilty of burglary under New Jersey statute 2C:18-2 if he "enters a research facility, structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof with purpose to commit and offense therein." Burglary charges escalate from third-degree crime to a second-degree offense if someone is injured during the crime or a weapon is used.
Juveniles facing these serious charges may have more potential sentencing options than those available to an adult. In general, juvenile courts in New Jersey are thought to focus on rehabilitation over punishment. This does not mean, however, that the juvenile involved in a serious crime will automatically avoid incarceration or punishment for committing crimes. All charges must be taken seriously and vigorously fought with the guidance of a skilled Princeton juvenile criminal defense attorney.
The reputed criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein defend New Jersey residents of all ages facing burglary charges. We carefully review the specifics of each case in order to build a solid defense. Contact us today at 609-240-0040 to find out how we can help.
