New Jersey Juvenile Gang Crime Defense Lawyers
Gang Crimes
There's no one law in New Jersey against being part of a gang. Instead, juveniles accused of gang involvement in New Jersey may be accused of one or more crimes that are considered gang activities, such as:
- Drug crimes
- Underage drinking
- Vandalism or graffiti
- Fraud or racketeering
- Theft or robbery
- Sexual assault and related offenses
- Assault
- Possession of a firearm
- Homicide
Unfortunately, any gang involvement claimed by the prosecutor can make the charges or potential penalties worse -- even if there really isn't any gang involvement. The teen's clothes, neighborhood, friends or even his or her ethnic background can all be unfairly taken as evidence of gang involvement. In some cases, alleged gang involvement could even result in him or her being tried as an adult, allowing much more severe penalties and exposing him or her to hardened adult criminal defendants. Prosecutors and judges know the public doesn't like gangs or teens who look like gangsters, and they may be willing to punish an alleged gang crime more harshly than normal based on this type of flimsy evidence.
The smart New Jersey juvenile defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein will challenge these and other bad assumptions by law enforcement to break down the prosecution's case. Our goal is always to keep your child out of the criminal justice system as much as possible, in order to give him or her the best shot at a happy and healthy adulthood. Based in Princeton, we have practiced law in New Jersey for 15 years, successfully handling many cases for juvenile criminal defendants. Thanks to our experience, we understand the complexities and special needs involved in juvenile criminal cases. And because we offer free, no-obligation consultations, there's never any risk in speaking to our experienced juvenile defense attorney about your child's rights and his or her case.
If you or a loved one has been accused of juvenile gang related crimes in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.