What Are the Penalties for Domestic Violence in New Jersey?
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Juvenile proceedings are often complex and overwhelming for everyone involved, which is why if you or your child has been charged with a crime, you need an experienced and level-headed Mercer County juvenile offense lawyer on your side. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring today to learn more about juvenile proceedings in New Jersey and how our firm can assist you and your child through every step of the process.
If you live in New Jersey and were charged with a crime while you were under the age of 18, you will be considered a juvenile in terms of the criminal punishment you may face. If the conduct happened before your 18th birthday, the case is ordinarily handled in Family Court, even if you are now over 18. Typically, juvenile crime cases are handled by the Family Division of the Superior Court (most cases are handled here). That being said, if you are accused of certain enumerated offenses (such as murder, aggravated sexual assault, or armed robbery) and you were at least 15 years old at the time, the prosecutor can apply to have your case waived to adult trial court under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-26.1.
Whether you are being tried as a juvenile or not, it is of paramount importance that you have competent legal representation on your side. You can depend on a Mercer County criminal defense lawyer here at our firm to fight for you.
The path your case will take largely depends on the severity of the crime you allegedly committed. If the court views your alleged offense as a relatively minor one, your case may be referred for diversion. In this case, you won’t have to appear before a judge. Instead, you may be required to write a letter of apology, participate in community service, and undergo a probationary period of sorts, wherein you are prohibited from committing another crime for a certain period of time. As long as you meet these qualifications, your charges should get dismissed.
In New Jersey, diversion often happens through stationhouse adjustments or a deferred disposition; if you complete conditions like community service, restitution, or counseling and stay offense-free, the matter is usually dismissed.
However, if the court believes the crime you allegedly committed is more serious or you are a repeat offender, you and your Mercer County juvenile offense lawyer will attend a hearing in family court. As previously stated, if you allegedly committed a very serious offense, such as murder or aggravated sexual assault, your case will most likely be waived up to adult court and you will be tried as an adult. If it stays in family court, the family court judge will be the one who presides over the case and determines your disposition (penalty), considering statutory factors. Our firm is here to fight for you or your child in an effort to prove his or her innocence.
The bottom line is that if your child is currently being charged with a crime, you need a competent Mercer County juvenile offense lawyer whom you can trust. Your child’s future is at stake, and we are here to protect it. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring today to schedule your free initial consultation with our compassionate, accessible, and knowledgeable legal team.
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