Our Lawyers Know the Juvenile Court Process
There are a lot of alternatives available in New Jersey's juvenile justice process. Being sent to jail is the exception. The court's focus is on solving problems before the juvenile becomes an adult.
Juvenile criminal defense attorney Robert A. Smith has been helping juveniles accused of crimes for 35 years. He knows the court system in Morris County — the prosecutors, judges, systems and the law. He has built a rapport and trust with parents, their children and throughout the juvenile justice system.
A Delinquency Petition Starts the Process
When a juvenile, a person under the age of 18, is charged with a crime — marijuana possession, underage drinking, assault, truancy, shoplifting, theft — the case is handled in superior court where the prosecution has to prove its case. If a case gets to trial, it has the same rules of evidence as an adult court.
- There are many alternatives in the juvenile criminal process. A first offense is often deferred for one to two years. If there is no more trouble, if the juvenile follows probation rules, the case will be dismissed.
- For repeat offenders or violent offenders, the court will probably want stricter probation rules or, in some cases, juvenile detention.
- Juveniles do have a right to be represented by an attorney. The lawyer should be experienced in juvenile matters and know the local juvenile system well.
Call (973) 813-7006 Today · Free Consultation · Se Habla Español
For answers to your questions about juvenile crime, contact the Law Offices of Smith & Doran in Morristown, New Jersey.
