When a young person gets in trouble with the law, it can be scary for the whole family. Parents worry about their child’s future, and teens often don’t understand what’s happening to them. In New Jersey, the good news is that juvenile cases are handled very differently than adult criminal cases.
The law understands that young people are still learning and growing. They might not fully understand the consequences of their actions. Because of this, the juvenile justice system focuses more on helping kids learn from their mistakes rather than just punishing them.
Why the Juvenile System is Different
Adult criminal courts mainly want to punish people and stop them from committing crimes again. Juvenile courts have different goals:
- Help young people change their behavior
- Find out why they got in trouble in the first place
- Provide education and support
- Give them tools to make better choices in the future
This approach recognizes that teenagers are still developing and can change their lives with the right help.
Who is Considered a Juvenile?
In New Jersey, anyone under 18 years old is treated as a juvenile in the legal system. This means if your teenager is accused of breaking the law, their case will usually go to juvenile court, not adult criminal court.
This protection is important because it gives young people a better chance to move forward without a permanent criminal record following them for life.
Common Types of Juvenile Cases
Young people can face charges for many different things. Some of the most common juvenile offenses include:
- Acting out in public (disorderly conduct)
- Stealing from stores or other people
- Drinking alcohol while underage
- Having illegal drugs
- Damaging other people’s property
- Getting into fights
How these cases are handled depends on how serious the offense is, whether the teen has been in trouble before, and what exactly happened.
How Juvenile Court Works
The juvenile court process is much different from what you see on TV shows about adult criminal trials. Here’s what actually happens:
Getting Started
When police think a young person broke the law, they file a complaint. This complaint goes to family court, not criminal court.
Reviewing the Case
Court workers look at the complaint and decide if it needs to go to court. Sometimes, they can solve the problem without a formal hearing through counseling, warnings, or special programs.
The Court Hearing
If the case goes forward, the young person appears before a judge. There’s no jury like in adult court. The judge listens to what happened, looks at the evidence, and makes a decision.
What Happens Next
If the judge finds the young person responsible, they decide what should happen next. This might include probation, community service, paying fines, getting counseling, or in serious cases, staying at a juvenile facility.
Alternatives to Jail Time
New Jersey tries hard to keep young people out of detention centers. Instead, many teens get chances to participate in:
- Special programs that keep them out of court completely
- Probation where they check in regularly with a counselor
- Community service to help them give back and learn responsibility
- Treatment programs that address problems like anger management or substance abuse
The goal is to help young people learn from their mistakes without ruining their future opportunities.
When Young People Go to Adult Court
Most juvenile cases stay in family court, but sometimes very serious crimes can be moved to adult court. This is called a “waiver” and it’s rare.
When this happens, the young person faces the same penalties as an adult, including possible prison time. Courts only do this for the most serious violent crimes.
Long-Term Effects of Juvenile Records
Even though juvenile court focuses on helping rather than punishing, there can still be consequences that last into adulthood:
- A juvenile record that might affect job applications
- Problems getting a driver’s license
- Difficulty getting into college or qualifying for scholarships
- Challenges with certain career paths
This is why it’s so important to take any juvenile charge seriously and get proper legal help.
Protecting Your Child’s Rights
Young people have many of the same legal rights as adults, including the right to have a lawyer and the right to stay quiet during questioning. Parents should make sure these rights are protected throughout the entire process.
Having legal representation is crucial in juvenile cases. A lawyer can explain all the options, work to get your child into helpful programs instead of facing penalties, and make sure they’re treated fairly in court.
Getting Help for Your Family
The juvenile justice system in New Jersey is designed to give young people second chances and focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, even though juvenile court may seem less serious than adult court, the results can still have lasting effects on your child’s future.
If your family is facing a juvenile case, don’t try to handle it alone. The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone can help you understand the system and work to protect your child’s future.