The Importance of Skilled Legal Representation in New Jersey Juvenile Cases
The point of New Jersey's juvenile justice system is not to punish but to rehabilitate troubled youth. There are many cases, however, of juveniles facing harsh penalties for crimes that they either did not commit or for offenses they committed for the first time. No matter how severe the penalties may be, it is important that families speak with a skilled attorney who has experience successfully handling juvenile crime cases.
Juvenile cases are different in the sense that they go before a juvenile court judge. However, not all juveniles are tried in juvenile court. In cases that involve serious crimes, a prosecutor may decide to try the juvenile as an adult. There are a number of criteria that must be satisfied for a juvenile case to be tried in adult court. When you do not have quality legal representation, it is possible that your case may get pushed to adult court where the penalties are higher. There is also more media attention in adult court, which means your child's case could be covered by the local media. A skilled attorney will work diligently to keep the case in juvenile court and get the charges reduced or even dismissed altogether.
A knowledgeable lawyer will also work toward having the juvenile's record sealed. If the juvenile remains out of trouble for a certain amount of time, the sealed record can be expunged. In such cases, it is as if the incident never occurred and the juvenile will not have to answer questions about their criminal past in a college or job application.
It is a big mistake not to take charges against a juvenile seriously. Remember, your child's future is at stake. The skilled juvenile defense lawyers in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of protecting the rights of New Jersey's youth. If your son or daughter has been accused of a crime in New Jersey, please call our law offices today at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation.
