The state of New Jersey considers anyone under the age of 18 to be a juvenile. With that said, the state deals with juvenile crimes differently than those committed by people over the age of 18. The Law Office of Carl Spector understands how challenging it can be for a parent to learn that their child has been arrested and accused of committing an offense. Our Bergen County law firm is here to guide you through every step moving forward to help protect your child’s future. If your child has been charged with a juvenile offense, you must retain legal representation you can trust. To discuss your child’s situation with an experienced Bergen County juvenile crimes attorney, contact The Law Office of Carl Spector today.
When a child under the age of 18 is arrested in New Jersey, their case will be handled differently from traditional adult criminal cases. Juvenile cases are handled in the family division of New Jersey’s Superior Court and are decided by a judge, though a judge may divert a minor matter to a Juvenile Conference Committee, a volunteer panel that hears referred cases and recommends a resolution back to the court. Parents of juvenile offenders must understand that if the offense is very serious, the case can be waived up to adult criminal court. Waiver applies only to juveniles aged 15 or older, requires the prosecutor to file a motion within 60 days, and is limited to a list of enumerated offenses that includes murder, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, and certain firearm and drug crimes. This can be a living nightmare for both you and your child, which is why you must hire an experienced Bergen County criminal defense attorney who will fight, tooth-and-nail, to protect your child’s future.
The state of New Jersey demands that all juvenile offenders be represented by an attorney. Although adults are permitted to waive their rights to legal representation, this is not the case for juveniles. The Office of the Public Defender provides representation to juveniles at the stages where counsel is required, and families who cannot afford private counsel should submit an application for assignment of counsel through the family court. However, if you believe you are unable to afford the cost of an attorney, you may request the appointment of a public defender. The court may consider the financial circumstances of a parent or guardian and order them to contribute toward the cost of assigned counsel.
If your child has been arrested in the state of New Jersey, you must retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Law Office of Carl Spector has proudly represented all types of criminal cases, juveniles included, for over 30 years. We are committed to exploring all possible defenses on your child’s behalf and guiding you both through every step of the process. We understand how difficult this situation is for both the accused and their parents, which is why we are ready to do everything in our power to have your child’s charges mitigated or, in some cases, completely dropped. If you need an experienced juvenile crimes attorney on your side, contact The Law Office of Carl Spector today.
