Everyone makes mistakes, especially when they are teenagers and going through the difficult transition to adulthood. The pressure from peers to try drugs and alcohol and to engage in other types of questionable behavior can be tremendous and there is no doubt that this is a major factor in the high number of South Plainfield juvenile offenses heard at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick. A savvy criminal lawyer at our firm is well equipped to defend your son or daughter if they have fallen victim to this circumstance.
The consequences of a youthful mistake that leads to a criminal charges can be significant and this is a primary reason why New Jersey law requires that every juvenile defendant be represented by an attorney. Someone who is accomplished in defending a juvenile offense arising in South Plainfield will be able to provide your child with the best opportunity for escaping the ramifications of a conviction.
The lawyers that make up the defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F Marshall have over a century of combined experience defending children in the Juvenile Part of the Middlesex County Superior Court, including juveniles charged in South Plainfield. One of the lawyers even served as the juvenile prosecutor in the court. We obviously know our way around the court system and how to secure the most favorable outcome for your son/daughter. Call us at 732-201-6509 to reach a lawyer in our New Brunswick Office for a free consultation.
Juvenile Criminal Offense in South Plainfield New Jersey
When an individual is under the age of 18 (juveniles) and has been charged with breaking the law or violating probation, his or her offense is dealt with in the juvenile court system. Such offenses would be called crimes in the adult court system, but are referred to as delinquent acts in the juvenile court system. Charges that arise from delinquent acts that are alleged to have occurred in South Plainfield, NJ are handled at the Family Division of Middlesex County Superior Court located at 120 New Street, PO Box 2691, New Brunswick, NJ, phone number 732-519-3205. The court presides over all criminal offenses filed in S. Plainfield and the rest of Middlesex County, including those involving:
- Simple Assault
- Harassment
- Burglary
- Criminal Mischief
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Robbery
- Terroristic Threats
- Distribution of Marijuana
- Possession of Marijuana
- CDS Distribution
- Drug Possession
- Sexual Assault
- Shoplifting
- Trespassing
- Aggravated Assault
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Unlawful Purpose Offenses
- Handgun Charges
There are many differences between the juvenile justice system in New Jersey and its adult criminal justice system, but the primary difference lies in the philosophy of the systems. In the juvenile justice system, the idea is to try to rehabilitate young people so that they can become productive members of society. In the adult system, the idea is to punish offenders, not to rehabilitate them.
In addition to the philosophical differences between the two systems, there are semantic differences. In adult courts, we have trials and in juvenile courts, we call them adjudicatory hearings. In adult courts, we have sentencing hearings and in juvenile courts, we call them dispositional hearings.
Apart from the philosophy and the semantics, there are a few other notable differences between the juvenile justice system and the adult criminal justice system. A couple of these differences are that in juvenile courts, the juvenile defendant has no right to bond or to a jury trial. Only the judge presiding over the case will determine if your juvenile is found delinquent or not.
Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency in South Plainfield, NJ
The consequences of your child being adjudicated delinquent in a juvenile court or very serious and may include your child being removed from your home and place in a juvenile detention facility. What’s more, for particularly egregious delinquent acts, the prosecutors can even push to have your child tried as an adult where he or she will face adult criminal consequences if convicted.
Juvenile court proceedings in New Jersey can be complicated and the outcome can have a huge impact on a child’s future. For this reason, it is extremely important that if your child has been charged with a juvenile offense in New Jersey, he or she has an experienced juvenile defense lawyer. In fact, New Jersey requires that your child have a lawyer. If your child doesn’t qualify for a public defender, the court will require you to hire a lawyer to represent his or her interests in court.
South Plainfield NJ Juvenile Defense Attorney
Youthful indiscretions shouldn’t jeopardize the future of a juvenile, whether it be getting into a college, working in their field of choice, or simply living a happy and productive life. This is why hiring a skilled and experienced juvenile defense attorney to defend the South Plainfield charge he is facing is in his/her best interest.
At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our lawyers are committed to helping children and clients of all ages. We take juvenile charges seriously and have the experience to defend them successfully. If you have any questions regarding juvenile delinquency, or if you or a loved one has been charged with a juvenile offense in South Plainfield, New Jersey, contact us at 732-201-6509 to speak to a lawyer who is knowledgeable in this area of law. Attorneys can be reached for assistance 24/7.
