West Windsor Juvenile Criminal Attorney
If your child has just been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in the Township of West Windsor, it is essential that you stay calm, and keep your composure. In order to deal with the situation in the most effective manner, you must keep your cool. The decisions you make in the next several hours may have serious implications for your child and for their future. The single most important thing you can do at this point in time is unquestionably to retain a criminal attorney who is skilled in defending West Windsor juvenile charges at the Family Division of the Mercer County Superior Court. A savvy defense lawyer like those at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will ensure your child does not incriminate himself or herself, and that their rights are completely protected. In the meantime, do not do anything to prejudice your child, including consenting to a statement, a search or any other requests. Attorneys who are experienced in this area of law must be consulted before making decisions such as these. Contact our firm at 609–683–8102 to speak to one of our lawyers in a free consultation regarding any issue you may possess or to discuss our representation of your child in the defense of his/her West Windsor criminal offense.
West Windsor NJ Juvenile Criminal Offense
A juvenile criminal lawyer specialist in New Jersey juvenile law; he or she is more focused and experienced when dealing with teens, and has experience finding a solution which is in your child’s best interests. The Marshall Law Firm defends all West Windsor juvenile charges, including those involving:
- Drug charges;
- Robbery;
- Assault;
- Sex offenses;
- Criminal mischief;
- Waiver and retention hearings; and
- Weapons violations.
West Windsor is home to the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, and the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, both of which ranked in the top ten New Jersey schools in 2016. (West Windsor-Plainsboro South rated ninth, while West Windsor-Plainsboro North rated second). Even so, juvenile crimes continue to occur in the area, and across the state, with juvenile arrests comprising about 22.2 percent of all serious arrests (“serious” meaning rape, murder, robbery, vehicle theft, larceny, theft, burglary and aggravated assault).
Understanding the Juvenile Justice System in New Jersey
Your child enters the juvenile justice system in West Windsor when a complaint which charges the commission of a delinquent act is signed. Instead of signing such a complaint, the officer may choose to divert the case, which means your child could be released into your custody (with or without a warning) or your child may be taken to a juvenile detention facility, pending disposition of the case. Under New Jersey law, the Court can detain your child only if he or she is considered a danger to the community, or a risk for not showing up to Court. If the offense your child committed was very minor, he or she may be referred to a Juvenile Referee or Conference Committee, however all other charges will go through the Family Division of the Superior Court.
West Windsor Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyer
The language between juvenile offenses and adult offenses differs—A juvenile is not “arrested,” he or she is “taken into custody.” If the charges against your child are proven, he or she will be “adjudicated delinquent,” rather than “convicted.” Jonathan F. Marshall and the lawyers on our staff will ensure your child’s rights are fully protected, from start to finish, and will work hard for the best outcome to the charge. Your child is required to have an attorney, and it only makes sense to have a highly accomplished West Windsor attorney by his or her side. Our lawyers definitely fit within this description and are prepared to immediately assist your child if you call 609–683–8102.