Criminal Sentencing for Juveniles in Morris County, NJ
Madison Juvenile Sentencing Defense Lawyers
Sentencing for Juveniles in New Jersey
If your child has been charged with a criminal offense in New Jersey, the potential consequences can impact them for the rest of their life. Juvenile defense and sentencing in New Jersey is very specific to the juvenile justice system, which is why it is critical to have an experienced NJ juvenile defense attorney on your side through every step of the legal process. The Tormey Law Firm is an experienced criminal defense team of attorneys who have successfully represented numerous juvenile clients charged with criminal offenses, including burglary, aggravated assault, and criminal mischief in Roxbury, Parsippany, Dover, Mount Olive, Boonton, Morristown, and throughout Morris County. Prior to founding the Tormey Law Firm, Travis J. Tormey worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also has experience working for two of the largest and most well-known criminal defense firms in the state before leaving to start his own practice. Mr. Tormey focuses his practice entirely on criminal defense and drunk driving, which has enabled him to develop a wealth of knowledge and skill in these specific areas of law. He has successfully defended many juvenile clients in criminal cases, including trespassing, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, and simple 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 in your child’s juvenile case. To learn more about how we can help you with your juvenile matter, contact us anytime at 866-949-6948, or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation at our Morristown offices.
Understanding Juvenile Sentencing 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: the standard is the “best interests of the child.” As a result, sentencing is a very different process in juvenile court. Sentencing in a juvenile case can include the following:
- Probation
- Community Service
- Counseling
- Incarceration
- Rehab
- Book Reports
- Restitution
- License Suspension
- Deferred Disposition
A deferred disposition is similar to the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program in adult court. If the juvenile completes all the requirements of the sentence, at the end of the probationary period the judge will dismiss the charges.
What Factors are Considered for Juvenile Sentencing in NJ?
Similar to the pre-sentence report in adult court, the probation department will create a pre-disposition report on the juvenile so that the judge will be fully informed with regard to the juvenile and the circumstances surrounding the offense. When imposing sentence, the judge will consider the following factors:
- The nature and circumstances of the offense;
- The degree of injury or damage caused by the offense;
- The juvenile’s age, previous record, and prior social services received;
- Whether the disposition supports family strength, responsibility, unity, and the well-being and physical safety of the juvenile;
- Whether the disposition provides for reasonable participation by the child’s parents or guardians;
- Whether the disposition recognizes and treats the unique physical, psychological, and social characteristics and needs of the child;
- Whether the disposition contributes to the child’s developmental needs;
- Any other circumstances related to the offense and the juvenile’s social history as deemed appropriate by the court;
- The impact of the offense on the victim, on the community, and the threat to the public posed by the child.
Contact Mendham NJ Juvenile Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The Tormey Law firm is a group of highly regarded trial lawyers with an office in Morristown, NJ. Recently, Mr. Tormey handled a juvenile marijuana possession case in Morristown and got the Family Intake Division to divert 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.
The Tormey Law Firm has handled thousands of criminal cases like this throughout New Jersey. We will use our legal experience to guide your child’s case through the system. When you enlist our firm, you place your trust in us and we will fight to secure the best possible outcome in your child’s case. Contact our Morristown office at 866-949-6948 for a free consultation with a New Jersey juvenile defense lawyer today.
