In New Jersey, can a minor be charged as an adult?

Yes. However, it depends on the circumstances of the case. In New Jersey, minors can be charged as adults when they are 15 years old or older. However, this is only for certain crimes and under certain circumstances. For example, a minor can be charged as an adult for crimes such as: 1. Sexual assault 2. First degree robbery or carjacking 3. Criminal homicide 4. Certain drug-related charges There are various factors that the court will consider before determining that a juvenile case ought to be moved to adult criminal court. These factors include the minor’s age, their criminal history as well as the severity of the crime. If a minor is tried as an adult, they risk facing the same penalties and jail time as an adult convicted of the same crime would face. If they are sentenced to time behind bars, they will serve their time in a New Jersey prison and not an institution designed for juveniles. With so much at stake, it is vital that you have the representation and guidance of an experienced New Jersey juvenile lawyer.

Are juveniles convicted of crimes in New Jersey subject to the same sentences as adults?

It depends on the offense and the circumstances of the case. However, in many juvenile cases, judges in New Jersey lean towards rehabilitation and reeducation rather than punishment. Many juveniles, therefore, receive alternative sentences which may include probation, paying fines, making restitution, community service, or enrolling in a drug rehabilitation or anger management program. Judges also have the discretion to remove a minor from their home and can even terminate a parent’s rights if deemed necessary. However, there are certain circumstances where minors may be tried as adults. In these instances, the sentences that the minor faces will be the same as an adult under similar circumstances. Contact Camili & Capo, P.A.

Does a juvenile have a criminal record after being charged or convicted?

Yes. However, juveniles have greater eligibility for having their criminal records expunged. A juvenile can seek expungement of their record three years after being released from custody or supervision, so long as they have not committed any new criminal offenses, have not committed any non-expugnable offenses, and have not had adult criminal charges dismissed following supervisory treatment or a record of adult criminal convictions expunged.

New Jersey Juvenile Crime Lawyers | Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys Totowa, NJ

New Jersey Juvenile Crime Lawyers

Reputable Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys In Totowa, NJ Defend The Freedom And Future Of Young People Charged With Crimes In Passaic County, Hudson County, Essex County, Bergen County, And Throughout NJ

Juveniles are capable of committing many of the same criminal offenses as adults. However, in many cases, juveniles engage in criminal conduct due to a lack of maturity. As a result, when juveniles face the criminal justice system in New Jersey, the system is tailored to help rehabilitate juvenile criminal offenders so that they can lead law-abiding, productive lives as adults. Nevertheless, being convicted of a crime as a juvenile can have serious immediate and long-lasting consequences for a young person, including the possibility of detention and a criminal record that can impact a juvenile’s educational and employment opportunities as they are starting out in life. If your child has been arrested for a criminal offense, you need aggressive legal representation from one of our qualified New Jersey juvenile crime lawyers to help protect your son or daughter’s rights, freedom, and future.

With years of experience as a former New Jersey prosecutor, Krenar Camili, Esq. and his law partner Joseph Capo, Esq. of Camili & Capo, PA have the expertise needed to help your child and your family pursue the best possible outcome to your daughter or son’s juvenile crimes charges. It can be incredibly stressful for your family when your child is facing the juvenile criminal justice system. Let Krenar Camili, Esq. and Joseph Capo, Esq. advocate on behalf of your child for a reduced sentence, dismissal, or acquittal.

Get Free Advice From An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer. All You Have To Do Is Call (973) 834-8457 or Fill Out Our Free Case Evaluation Form.

Contact Camili & Capo, PA for a free case evaluation with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer if your son or daughter has been arrested for a juvenile criminal offense to learn more about your child’s legal rights and options for resolving their charges.

How The Juvenile Justice System Works In New Jersey

New Jersey’s criminal justice system for juvenile offenders is designed to balance the need for maintaining public safety while preserving the unity of juvenile offenders with their families and providing them with sanctions aimed at rehabilitation and enabling juveniles to become law-abiding and productive members of society. As a result, the potential case dispositions and sentencing options available in the juvenile justice system are much more varied than the dispositions and sentences available in the adult criminal justice system.

Juvenile crimes can result in sentencing outcomes such as:

Deferred disposition, which involves dismissal of charges upon a juvenile’s successful completion of requirements set by the court
Community service
Requirement to participate in educational, vocational, or work programs
Probation
Suspension of driver’s license or driving privileges
Release to a parent’s or guardian’s custody
Placing the juvenile in the custody of a qualified relative or other individual
Requirement to utilize social support services
Requirement to attend mental health or substance abuse treatment programs
Restitution
Transfer of custody to the Department of Children and Families
Juvenile detention — detention sentences are only a fraction of the normal sentencing guidelines in the adult criminal justice system

★★★★★
Mr. Camili provided excellent service […] I highly recommend his firm.
Hatije Kazaferi
★★★★★
Anyone who is in need of legal representation should contact Camili & Capo. This guy knows what he’s doing!
Enver Mustafoski
★★★★★
His team has always gone above and beyond for me and my clients. I would highly recommend his firm to everyone.
Besfort Ramadani

If a juvenile charged with a crime is 15 years or older and has been charged with certain criminal offenses, including drug trafficking or distribution, aggravated assault, sexual assault, or homicide, the prosecutor can request the juvenile’s transfer to the adult criminal justice system. A court may only grant transfer if the state can show that an evaluation of the statutory factors supports the transfer.

Penalties and Rehabilitation for Juveniles in New Jersey

The sentence for a juvenile convicted of a crime in New Jersey is different from that of an adult. Juvenile court takes the approach of seeking rehabilitation of the youth as opposed to punishing them. The court will therefore look for ways to achieve rehabilitation and education of the youth and only seek detainment as a last resort. Some of the penalties that juveniles face when charged with a crime include:

Confinement at home

This involves being required to remain within your home. It is similar to house arrest. However, the juvenile may leave their home to attend school, participate in income-generating activities, or other occasions such as attending a doctor’s appointment or a funeral.

Confinement in a juvenile hall

Juvenile hall is a temporary holding facility for juveniles convicted of a crime. These holding facilities are used for juveniles that are awaiting placement in a program or a facility. They can also be used for juveniles awaiting rulings for pre-trial proceedings.

Placement under a new guardian

There are instances where the court may determine that it is necessary to remove the juvenile from their home and have them placed under a new guardian such as a relative.

Time in a community home

Community homes are homes where juveniles live. They are allowed more freedom than they would in a facility or jail. However, they must adhere to certain requirements such as attending rehabilitation programs.

Time in a secured juvenile facility

These facilities are similar to community homes in that they offer access to rehabilitation programs. However, juveniles have fewer privileges and security is tighter.

Time in jail

This can be a juvenile jail. However, if the juvenile was tried as an adult, they may be sentenced to adult jail.

How Our Trusted New Jersey Juvenile Crime Lawyers From Camili & Capo, PA Can Help If Your Son Or Daughter Has Been Arrested And Charged With A Crime

Although the juvenile criminal justice system can seem less serious than the adult criminal justice system, that doesn’t mean that your family should take it less seriously. If your son or daughter has been arrested for a juvenile crime in New Jersey, Camili & Capo, PA will work tirelessly to help your child obtain the best possible outcome in their case by:

Investigating the underlying charges for evidence Camili & Capo, PA can use to build a defense to your child’s juvenile charges
Identifying potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, based on Krenar Camili’s experience in prosecuting all kinds of criminal matters in New Jersey
Aggressively pursuing reduction or dismissal of your child’s criminal charges
Defending your child at trial, when trial represents the best opportunity for securing the most favorable result in your son’s or daughter’s case

Facing Criminal Charges And Have Questions? We Can Help. Just Tell Us What Happened. Call (973) 834-8457 Or Fill Out Our Convenient Free Case Evaluation Form.

Juvenile charges may be one of the most critical events in your child’s development. With so much on the line, you need one of our battle-tested juvenile criminal defense attorneys in Totowa, NJ that has the experience, skill, and confidence to be ready to fight on behalf of your child all the way to trial if needed.

Contact Camili & Capo, PA For A Free, Confidential Consultation With Our Dedicated New Jersey Juvenile Crime Lawyers About Legal Options For Facing Juvenile Criminal Charges

Don’t let your son’s or daughter’s youthful mistake lead to serious consequences to their freedom and future. Call or contact one of our experienced juvenile criminal defense attorneys in Totowa, NJ from Camili & Capo, PA today for a free initial case review to discuss the details of your child’s juvenile charges and to learn more about their rights and options for a legal strategy to defend against their charges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Crimes In New Jersey

Yes. However, it depends on the circumstances of the case. In New Jersey, minors can be charged as adults when they are 15 years old or older. However, this is only for certain crimes and under certain circumstances. For example, a minor can be charged as an adult for crimes such as:
1. Sexual assault
2. First degree robbery or carjacking
3. Criminal homicide
4. Certain drug-related charges
There are various factors that the court will consider before determining that a juvenile case ought to be moved to adult criminal court. These factors include the minor’s age, their criminal history as well as the severity of the crime.
If a minor is tried as an adult, they risk facing the same penalties and jail time as an adult convicted of the same crime would face. If they are sentenced to time behind bars, they will serve their time in a New Jersey prison and not an institution designed for juveniles. With so much at stake, it is vital that you have the representation and guidance of an experienced New Jersey juvenile lawyer. Contact Camili & Capo, P.A. to consult with our experienced attorneys and ensure your child or loved one has the best possible defense.
It depends on the offense and the circumstances of the case. However, in many juvenile cases, judges in New Jersey lean towards rehabilitation and reeducation rather than punishment. Many juveniles, therefore, receive alternative sentences which may include probation, paying fines, making restitution, community service, or enrolling in a drug rehabilitation or anger management program. Judges also have the discretion to remove a minor from their home and can even terminate a parent’s rights if deemed necessary. However, there are certain circumstances where minors may be tried as adults. In these instances, the sentences that the minor faces will be the same as an adult under similar circumstances.
Contact Camili & Capo, P.A. to consult with a juvenile defense attorney in Totowa, NJ, and learn about your rights, options, and the best way to approach your child’s case.
Yes. However, juveniles have greater eligibility for having their criminal records expunged. A juvenile can seek expungement of their record three years after being released from custody or supervision, so long as they have not committed any new criminal offenses, have not committed any non-expugnable offenses, and have not had adult criminal charges dismissed following supervisory treatment or a record of adult criminal convictions expunged.