Teen Pleads Not Guilty in Newark Carjacking Case
A 17-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to carjacking a vehicle from an official at the State Attorney General’s Office. According to ABC News, the incident occurred in Newark. The 17-year-old is being charged as an adult for allegedly pointing a gun at the man's chest before taking his vehicle. The Star-Ledger has reported that the teenager is one of three-dozen individuals implicated in a series of carjacking incidents in Newark.
It is in the best interest of young individuals to be tried as juveniles instead of adult court. While the adult criminal system is based on punishment, the juvenile system in New Jersey is based on rehabilitation. The charges in an adult criminal proceeding are therefore much more severe and they often involve substantial jail time, which can be particularly traumatizing for a young person.
In cases that involve violent crimes, a teen may be charged as an adult. In addition, juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public and the media, which offers more protection to the defendant. The prosecution will determine whether or not to charge an individual as an adult based on the severity of the crime as well as the age and criminal history of the defendant.
If your son or daughter is facing criminal charges, the experienced juvenile crime defense attorneys in Princeton at Lependorf & Silverstein can help. Call our law offices at 609-240-0040 to discuss your legal rights for free with one of our highly skilled lawyers. We will fight hard to make sure that your child gets that valuable second chance.
