New Jersey Vandalism Defense Attorneys
Vandalism
Vandalism comes in a variety of forms. And New Jersey state law does not stand for any of them, regardless of the severity of the act. Whether vandalism takes the form of simply defacing private property or even destroying it, a strong defense will need to be mounted on behalf of the accused juvenile to insure the best possible result in a court of law. For this reason, a skilled New Jersey juvenile crime defense lawyer should be retained as soon as possible.
Vandalism is defined as the willful or malicious destruction of private property that takes place without the consent of the owner of said property. While these acts may seem relatively insignificant to naïve adolescents and teenagers, the repercussions that can arise out of vandalism crime can be harsh. A juvenile offender who commits vandalism that results in monetary damages of up to $400 will generally be charged with a misdemeanor. If the damage is greater than $400, then the juvenile court system may impose a felony charge. Additionally, those charged with vandalism may be required to repair the damaged property, or even replace it if the resulting damage leaves the property beyond the scope of repair. A juvenile offender may have to spend time in a juvenile detention facility, could be required to perform community service, and could be placed on probation for multiple years. Required counseling and disciplinary action taken at school, such as expulsion or suspension, may also result from vandalism charges.
Depending on the scope of the vandalism crime, some juvenile offenders may unfortunately receive criminal records. However, an experienced New Jersey vandalism defense attorney will introduce the court to all circumstances leading up to the incident, and will draw from past behavior as a defense against harsher sentencing. Ultimately, a skilled juvenile crime defense attorney will see to it that the juvenile court system is given a complete character profile of the accused so that punishment handed down takes past behavior and predicted future behavior more closely into account.
If your child stands accused of a New Jersey juvenile vandalism crime and is facing severe punishment, the experienced defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein can help. Call us today at 609-240-0040, and we will provide you with a free consultation of your defense case.
If you or a loved one has been accused of vandalism in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.