Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Burlington County, New Jersey

If a minor in your household is facing legal charges in Burlington County, NJ, it’s important to seek the counsel of a juvenile defense lawyer right away. The Law Office of Michele Finizio is here to ensure your child’s rights are protected, and an experienced attorney with a history of success in court can help get the best possible outcome for them.

Contact Michele Finizio today for a free consultation about your case. Our team serves Burlington County, as well as many other nearby counties in New Jersey. Michele brings over two decades of experience to her practice to help your family.

What Does a Juvenile Defense Lawyer Do?

A juvenile defense lawyer walks through the case with you, explaining each step of the process and what you can expect. They advise you on what to do and can represent you in court.

Having an attorney on your side has multiple benefits. First, they protect your child’s legal rights as a minor. The laws are different for young people under the age of 18, and children 14 and under cannot be tried as adults in New Jersey.

How the case is handled and decided can affect your child’s entire future. So it’s crucial to have the right legal team on your side, led by a top juvenile defense lawyer in Burlington County. The entire process will go more smoothly and be less stressful for your family when it’s explained to you and when you feel properly represented.

Juvenile Offenses in New Jersey

Juvenile offenses are legal infractions, also known as “acts of delinquency” (not “crimes”). Juveniles are “taken into custody” in a secure juvenile facility. They are not arrested or held in an adult jail.

The majority of cases involving minors are heard in family court by a judge, not tried in adult criminal court.

What are the most common juvenile offenses we assist with in our Burlington County office?

• Underage drinking and driving (zero tolerance DUI)
• Drug possession, drug use, or drug sale
• Shoplifting and other theft offenses
• Trespassing and vandalism
• Disorderly conduct
• Campus sex crimes and sexual assault
• Underage gambling
• Traffic offenses
• Truancy (missing school)
• Computer and internet-related offenses

The last item above may include harassment, cyberbullying, stalking, hacking, credit card fraud, or ID theft.

Why Hire a Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Burlington County?

We mentioned above that juvenile cases are different because the minor in question isn’t old enough to know or defend their own rights. And juvenile cases can affect the child’s future, including going to college and getting employment.

There are a few other unique challenges with juvenile cases that make it vital to hire a juvenile “crime” attorney in Burlington County:

• Prior history
• Academic status
• Child’s mental state
• Peer pressure or provocation
• Level of harm done
• Issues of consent
• Wrongful accusations
• Privacy and court records

Sometimes a minor isn’t aware that they’re committing an offense, such as with trespassing or vandalism. It’s important that you have an expert to ask the right questions and find out what really happened.

And having a New Jersey juvenile law attorney like Michele Finizio can be advantageous in court and after adjudication to protect your child’s permanent record or assist with an expungement.

The Juvenile Court Process

It’s helpful to understand the juvenile court process from the outset. It’s broken into these four stages:

1. Intake – This is when the child is taken into custody after an investigation or law enforcement witnesses an infraction.
2. Detention hearing – A judge must decide whether the child should be detained in a facility or can be sent home in the custody of a parent or guardian.
3. Adjudication hearing – At this step, the judge decides whether or not the minor is guilty of the offense as charged.
4. Disposition hearing – This final step determines the punishment if a child is found guilty in the adjudication hearing.

Punishment for juvenile offenses can range from probation or community service to longer-term detention in a juvenile facility.

Qualities to Look For in a Juvenile Defense Lawyer

When looking for juvenile court representation in NJ, you want a lawyer with local experience in your area, like Burlington County. You also want someone with expertise in juvenile law and court representation.

Finally, you should seek an attorney with a strong track record of defending minors. Ask about their adjudication statistics, and read client reviews to see the experience of real people like yourself.

Common Questions About Juvenile Defense in NJ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about juvenile defense in New Jersey:

My child is detained. What happens next?

Minors in New Jersey are not arrested, per se, but taken into custody. A detention hearing is then conducted to decide if the child can be released to go home or must continue to be detained. If the child is detained, they are kept in a secure facility separate from adults, such as a detention center or youth house.

What are the potential penalties for juvenile offenses?

The possible penalties depend on the offense. Typical penalties include:

• Probation
• Community service
• Detention
• Mental health counseling
• Substance abuse treatment
• Loss of driving privileges

What kinds of offenses by children 15 and over might be tried in adult court?

While it’s rare to see minors tried as adults, certain serious offenses may warrant this, including:

• Carjacking
• Aggravated arson
• First-degree robbery
• Unlawful firearm possession
• Sexual assault
• Kidnapping
• Serious drug offenses
• Criminal homicide

Can juvenile records be sealed in New Jersey?

Permanent records for juveniles are often sealed from the public. However, some federal agencies may still be able to see the juvenile court record. This may affect the child’s ability later to obtain employment that requires a clear record.

What is an expungement?

Because of the presence of records described in the question above, some families of juvenile offenders pursue expungement. This is where offenses are removed from the child’s record, provided they have met necessary court requirements.

Challenges Faced in Juvenile Defense Cases

Earlier, we mentioned some of the challenges involved in juvenile defense cases. Some of the other issues specific to these offenses include:

• Understanding the subtleties and nuances between adult and juvenile laws and procedures
• Balancing rehabilitation with legal consequences, e.g., getting the child help with counseling or rehab
• Handling cases involving serious offenses or repeat delinquency

No matter what, though, ensuring the minor’s rights must be a top priority throughout the process. That’s why partnering with the right juvenile defense lawyer in Burlington County, New Jersey is so vital.

Contact the Law Office of Michele Finizio if You Need a Juvenile Defense Attorney

For this reason, families in Burlington County and nearby areas choose the Law Office of Michele Finizio. She provides experienced legal defense for minors in New Jersey, with a track record of success that gives families better peace of mind.

Your first no-obligation consultation is free. Phone us at 856-684-5083, or reach out online to let us know how we can help.

You don’t want to delay finding legal representation. Act now to ensure your child’s rights are protected.