Juvenile Charged as an Adult in New Jersey

Juvenile Charged an an Adult in New Jersey

A juvenile who is charged as an adult in New Jersey faces the most severe punishments in the NJ criminal justice system. Do not let juvenile charges ruin your loved one’s future. You need an experienced NJ juvenile defense attorney to fight for you and ensure the best possible result. Our law firm is an experienced criminal defense team. Our skilled attorneys have successfully represented clients charged with all types of offenses, including aggravated assault, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of weapons in Roxbury, Morristown, Mount Olive, Parsippany, and Dover.

Our firm’s founding partner, Travis J. Tormey, has successfully handled thousands of criminal cases in New Jersey. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Tormey worked at the United States Attorney’s Office. He also has experience working for two of the largest and most well-known criminal defense firms in the state. Mr. Tormey is dedicated to helping criminal defendants beat their charges, which is why he focuses his practice entirely on criminal defense and drunk driving. Mr. Tormey has successfully defended many juvenile clients in criminal cases, including criminal mischief, distribution of marijuana, and sexual assault. He will use this invaluable experience as well as his long-standing relationships with local prosecutors and judges to secure the best possible outcome to your case.

Here is how one former client’s mother described her experience with our firm handling her son’s juvenile case:

“Mr. Tormey is a consummate professional. Our case was sensitive and complicated and unusually lengthy for a juvenile case. For 8 months Mr. Tormey faithfully worked our case and never failed to show for court once. Punctual, disciplined, knowledgeable, patient and responsive there aren’t enough words of admiration and gratitude I can apply to him. My son’s case was resolved in our favor and we owe it to Mr. Tormey’s unwavering professionalism. I choose him based on previous reviews and I am so pleased I did as the excellent reviews are absolutely warranted. He made an unbearable situation so much more bearable with his calm demeanor. I highly recommend Travis to anyone needing a juvenile defense attorney. He knows the law and he knows how to navigate the judicial jungle. Without a doubt, one of the best attorneys out there. Thank you Travis for giving my son his life back, I will forever be gratefully indebted.” – Amy

The criminal defense lawyers from our law firm defend juvenile clients in courts throughout Morris County and New Jersey. Contact us anytime at 866-949-6948, or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We also offer ppointments at our offices in Morristown.

What Happens when a Juvenile is Charged as an Adult in New Jersey?

The first and most important thing to remember in juvenile cases, as opposed to adult cases, is that the standard is different. The standard in adult court is focused on punishment and deterrence. By contrast, in juvenile court, the focus is on rehabilitation and the standard is the “best interests of the child.” As a result, it is imperative that a juvenile case remains in family court as opposed to going to adult criminal court. In some cases, the county prosecutor’s office will attempt to have the juvenile’s charges waived up to adult court. Typically, this happens when the charges are very serious, such as attempted murder, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, or aggravated assault.

If the case is waived up to adult court, the juvenile will be treated like an adult defendant. He or she will be facing far more serious penalties, including a lengthy period of incarceration in an adult prison. As such, it is imperative that the juvenile’s case remains in family court and is not transferred to adult criminal court.

At a waiver hearing to determine whether a juvenile should be waived up to adult criminal court, the judge will consider the following:

• The nature of the offense charged
• The age of the juvenile
• The juvenile’s prior history (if any)
• The juvenile prior response to rehabilitation (if any)
• The juvenile’s potential response to rehabilitation
• The juvenile court’s ability to impose an appropriate punishment
• The danger to the public

Successful Results in NJ Juvenile Cases

Here are a few examples of our many successful results defending juvenile clients in courts across New Jersey:

Recently, Mr. Tormey handled a juvenile marijuana possession case in Morristown, New Jersey. At Mr. Tormey’s request, the Family Intake Division diverted the case to a probation officer, who allowed the juvenile to complete community service and held the charges in abeyance (pending) for 90 days. When Mr. Tormey’s client completed the community service and remained arrest-free during 90-day probationary period, the charges were dismissed and the client avoided a criminal record.

Mr. Tormey also recently handled a juvenile child endangerment case in Bergen County, New Jersey. After months of prosecutorial delays, Mr. Tormey made a motion to dismiss based on the Speedy Trial Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Mr. Tormey then argued the motion before a Bergen County Superior Court Judge and successfully had the case dismissed.

Contact a Mount Olive Juvenile Defense Lawyer to Discuss Your Case

At our law firm, experienced New Jersey juvenile crime defense lawyers will use their legal experience to guide your criminal case through the system, en route to securing the best possible outcome. Contact our Morristown, NJ office 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 866-949-6948 for a free consultation.