Ley de Minoridad

Description

In the New Jersey criminal law system, cases involving juvenile offenders are handled in the Family Court system rather than the Superior Court Criminal Law system. Many different regulations , procedures, and potential outcomes apply than in adult criminal court.

We can help

Our firm has defended a large number of juveniles in various counties throughout the State of New Jersey. We have helped juveniles with detention hearings, exclusion cases, pretrial motions, trials, sentencing, Megan's Law cases, probation violations and revocations . We assist defendants with serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault , escape, weapons offenses, drug crimes, sexual assault and burglary. We recognize that juveniles and their families often have special needs and problems such as broken families, alcohol or drug addiction , school problems, other abuse-related problems and psychological issues. Our vast experience allows us to help families reach resolution to many of these problems. We are trained to guide juveniles and their families not only to services and programs designed to be used as a defense against the charge(s) against the juvenile, but also designed to have the desired effect of minimizing the risk that the juvenile will reoffend or become involved in further problems.

Lawyers

Why choose us?

The law firm of Helmer , Conley & Kasselman defends thousands of juveniles charged with crimes. Five former Assistant County Prosecutors (one a retired police officer) with over one hundred years of combined criminal litigation experience form a formidable team unmatched in New Jersey. Yaron Helmer is the former Chief of the Juvenile Unit for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. He has supervised and/or handled thousands of juvenile cases. We know the effect that juvenile issues can have on families and juveniles. We are compassionate and effective in addressing these issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

(Click on the question to see the answer.)

1. Should I be concerned about getting a lawyer for my child if the case is only going to the "Juvenile Court" and not to a criminal court?

YES ! Even if the case involving your child is being heard in the Family Court (Juvenile Court), the consequences for your child can be serious and may include house arrest or even incarceration in a juvenile detention facility (prison).

2. Will my child be charged with a criminal offense if he or she is "convicted" in juvenile court?

NO ! If your child is "adjudicated delinquent" in Family Court, that adjudication is not a criminal conviction under New Jersey law.

3. Does my child have the right to a jury trial in the "Juvenile Court"?

NO ! All Family Court cases involving juveniles accused of committing a criminal offense must be heard before a judge only. Only that judge hears the evidence presented and determines whether the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

4. Is my child entitled to bail if he or she is alleged to have committed a criminal offense and is arrested?

NO ! Bail is not provided for in the Juvenile Justice System. A Family Court judge will determine whether the accused juvenile can be released to his or her parents or guardian and under what conditions, such as electronic monitoring , or whether, based on the seriousness of the crime charged and any other problems the juvenile has incurred, the juvenile will be held in a juvenile detention facility until a hearing determines whether the juvenile committed the crime.

5. Even though my son is under 18, someone told me that he could be prosecuted in a criminal court. Is this true?

YES ! Traffic violations committed by juveniles are prosecuted in Municipal Court. A Family Court Judge may, under certain circumstances in the case of serious criminal offenses such as homicide and aggravated assault , transfer the prosecution of a juvenile charged with a crime from Family Court to the adult criminal court.