Juvenile Vandalism Offenses

Vandalism of Traffic Signs in New Jersey

Juvenile vandalizing offenses, including stealing traffic signs, have been increasing over recent years. Most juveniles and their families make the mistake of not taking these types of offenses very seriously. However, this offense will leave your son or daughter with a juvenile record and will leave you sometimes stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars to replace the traffic signs or signals. This is why it is so important to hire an experienced juvenile defense attorney who can get the charges dropped and let your family put this incident behind them. The Law Offices of John F. Marshall represents juveniles facing these types of charges throughout NJ including Monmouth County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, Mercer County, Hudson County, Morris County, and Union County. Our lawyers are waiting to talk to you and your child free of charge.

NJ Juvenile Charged with Defacing or Removing Traffic Signs or Signals

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3.1, if a juvenile purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently defaces, injures or removes an official traffic sign or signal they are guilty of a disorderly persons offense. Once the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent, which means they would be found guilty of the crime if it was committed by an adult, they are assessed a fine. If the court determines that the juvenile is unable to pay the fine, it will impose the fine on the juvenile’s parents or legal guardian who will be responsible for paying it. Depending on what was actually damaged or removed, the fines could be thousands of dollars.

Every juvenile arrested for a crime in New Jersey is required to get a lawyer to represent them. If your son or daughter has been arrested for vandalizing a traffic sign or signal it is essential that you retain a juvenile defense attorney with a long track record of success. At the Law Offices of John F. Marshall our attorneys regularly represent juveniles accused of vandalism and criminal mischief and are often successful at getting these charges dropped altogether which allows you avoid excessive fines. We have lawyers available throughout NJ including Monmouth County, Somerset County, Bergen County, Ocean County, Middlesex County, Hudson County and Mercer County. Please contact our office as soon as possible to receive a free initial consultation where one of our attorneys can discuss you and your child’s options.