JUVENILE LAW
Description
In New Jersey, matters involving juvenile offenders are handled in the Family Court system rather than in the Superior Court criminal system. Many different rules, procedures, and potential outcomes apply to these cases.
We can help
Our firm has defended juveniles throughout the State of New Jersey. We assist our clients during the entire judicial process and have helped juveniles charged with serious crimes including the following:
We realize that young people and their families often have special needs and problems including divided families, alcohol or drug use, school issues, other abuse-related problems, and psychological issues. Our vast experience enables us to help families reach a resolution for many of those problems.
We are able to direct juveniles and their families to services and programs that can do the following:
- help the juvenile's defense
- minimize the risk that the juvenile will re-offend or become involved in further problems
Attorneys
Paralegals
Why Choose Us?
Helmer, Paul, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. defends thousands of juveniles charged with crimes. Six former assistant county prosecutors (one of whom is a retired police officer) with over 175 years of criminal litigation experience constitute a formidable team unmatched in New Jersey.
Yaron Helmer was chief of the Camden County Prosecutor's Juvenile Unit. He has supervised and/or handled thousands of juvenile cases. We know what these cases can do to families and juveniles and are compassionate and efficient in handling these matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Should I bother to hire a lawyer for my child if the matter is only going to Juvenile Court and not criminal court?
YES! Even if the case is handled in Family Court (Juvenile Court), the consequences for your child can still be severe and can include house arrest or even incarceration in a juvenile detention facility (jail).
- 2. If my child is convicted in Juvenile Court, will he/she have a criminal record?
NO! If your child is an "adjudicated delinquent" in Family Court, that adjudication is not a criminal conviction under New Jersey law.
- 3. Is my child entitled to a jury trial in Juvenile Court?
NO! All matters in Family Court involving juveniles who have been charged with a criminal offense are heard by a judge only. The judge alone hears evidence presented and determines if the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
- 4. Is my child entitled to bail if he/she is alleged to have committed a criminal offense and is arrested?
NO! In the juvenile justice system there is no provision for bail. A Family Court judge will determine if the charged juvenile may be released to his/her parent(s) or guardian and under what conditions, such as electronic monitoring, or if, based upon the seriousness of the offense charged and any prior problems, the juvenile will be held in a juvenile detention facility until the hearing.
- 5. Even though my child is less than 18 years old, someone told me that he/she could be prosecuted in criminal court. Is that true?
YES! It is possible for a Family Court judge, under certain circumstances in the case of serious criminal offenses such as murder and aggravated assault, to transfer the prosecution of an alleged juvenile offender from Family Court to adult criminal court.
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