Princeton Juvenile Felony Offense Lawyers
Juvenile Felony Offense
When a minor appears in court on New Jersey juvenile misdemeanor charges, there is a good chance a judge will be somewhat lenient if it is the young person's first brush with the law. However, a felony offense is an entirely different matter. The courts may try the juvenile as an adult, and the young person could receive a lengthy term of confinement. The teen may also face a permanent blemish on their criminal record. If your teenager is currently in this situation, you need to obtain the services of a Princeton juvenile crime defense attorney immediately.
The terms used in the New Jersey legal system can be somewhat confusing. While many states classify crimes as misdemeanors and felonies, New Jersey law refers to them as disorderly persons offenses and indictable crimes, respectively. Indictable crimes, or felonies, are punishable by jail sentences that exceed one year. Juvenile felony offenses include the following:
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Assault
- Burglary
- Theft
- Drug offenses
- Public order offenses
- Arson
- Manslaughter
- Weapons offenses
If a juvenile accused of a felony offense must go to an adult criminal court, the crime is classified as a first, second, third or fourth degree offense. First degree felony offenses are the most serious while fourth degree offenses are the least serious. The prison sentences associated with convictions for these four degrees of offenses are very different. While a fourth degree felony conviction carries a maximum sentence of 18 months, a third degree felony conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years. If the court convicts a juvenile of a first degree felony offense as an adult, the sentence could be as long as 20 years.
The reputable Princeton juvenile felony criminal defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein will take a multi-faceted approach to effectively fight the charges and minimize the impact they will have on your child's future. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to have the case heard in juvenile court, convince the prosecutor to reduce the charges and/or have the minor's record sealed. If the evidence against the juvenile is weak or the authorities obtained it using illegal methods, a judge might even decide to throw the case out. Contact us to find out more about legal options if you are the parent of a young person who is facing felony charges.