Juvenile Crime Attorney in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Experienced Berkeley Heights Juvenile Crime Lawyers Help Protect Your Child’s Legal Rights

Having a child, relative or close family friend charged with a juvenile crime can be an overwhelming experience. It is important to consult with a New Jersey juvenile defense lawyer, and the law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC has lawyers who specialize in juvenile defense law. Attorneys Casey Woodruff, Gary Grabas, and Robert Rowbotham, II are all former prosecutors. Jon Bramnick is a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer with over 30 years of trial experience. Our juvenile defense attorneys regularly represent clients charged with a variety of offenses that carry potentially serious consequences for juveniles.

Berkeley Heights is a small community located in Union County, New Jersey with a population of nearly 13,000. Berkeley Heights has easy access to New York City by train and provides access to other locations via nearby major highways such as Interstate 78. Located in the Watchung Mountains, the town is a community of comfortable homes, quiet tree lined streets, which provides the ideal setting for raising a family. The community has spacious parks and recreational programs for all ages. Despite these outstanding qualities, the Berkeley Heights Police Department finds itself investigating crimes committed by juveniles that result in charges of juvenile delinquency.

Juvenile Delinquency Charges in Berkeley Heights, NJ

If your child is 14 years or older and charged with an offense that would be a crime if committed by an adult, the agency charging your child will take all reasonable steps to fingerprint your child. This is permitted by N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-6la(3). It is also very likely that your child will be photographed for criminal identification purposes and a copy of his or her picture will be sent to the county prosecutor. Your child needs a juvenile defense lawyer to ensure the best outcome possible and to protect him or her from the possible consequences of a conviction that may affect college admission and future employment opportunities.

Some of the most common juvenile acts of delinquency are set forth below:

• Criminal mischief (vandalism, graffiti, etc.)
• Underage drinking ( DWI and DUI)
• Marijuana possession
• CDS possession and distribution
• Assault
• Theft and/or Shoplifting
• Robbery
• Possession of a weapon
• Sex crimes (sexual assault, rape, touching, etc.)

After a child has been formally charged with an act of delinquency the case will most like proceed in the following manner:

Hearings for Juvenile Defendants in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Hearings for juveniles charged as delinquents in Family Court are required to be held within specific mandated time limitations, particularly regarding juveniles held in secure detention. N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-38.

The hearings are held in the following order and within the noted time periods: an initial detention hearing is to be held within 24 hours of admission; for juveniles remanded to detention, the initial probable cause hearing and second detention hearing are to be held within two court days; the juvenile is released from detention pending a subsequent hearing if probable cause is not found.

Detention Review Hearings in Berkeley Heights Juvenile Crime Cases

Detained juvenile review hearings are held at 14- and 21-day intervals where the individual’s detention status is reconsidered by a judge.

Adjudication Hearing

At the adjudicatory hearing, the court makes a determination on the delinquency charges. A juvenile may be adjudicated delinquent on one or more of the charges; the other charges are dismissed. After an adjudication of delinquency the judge will order a disposition. In detained cases, the disposition hearing is to occur within 60 court days of admission to detention unless extended by the court for good cause.

Sentencing for Juvenile Defendants in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Judges are allowed a wide array of dispositions in adjudicated cases by Code. Probation supervision is a common outcome, and probation is often ordered along with other requirements such as performing community service or paying financial restitution. In addition, probation is ordered along with more restrictive requirements such as entering a residential program or undergoing counseling. Probation is a major resource to the Family Court and the juvenile justice system. If your child is charged with a serious offense or has a history of juvenile delinquency, the Judge may also sentence your child to a period of incarceration in a state run juvenile detention facility.

Free Consultations Available – Berkeley Heights Juvenile Crime Lawyer

(908) 322 – 7000

If your child has been charged with an act of delinquency in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, our juvenile criminal defense attorneys may be able to assist you. Our juvenile criminal defense attorneys regularly represent juvenile clients. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (908) 322-7000. Please call to schedule a free initial consultation.