Camden Juvenile Defense Lawyer

You probably landed on this page because your son or daughter is a juvenile who is facing a criminal charge in Camden County. Our firm, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, possesses a staff of highly experienced NJ juvenile attorneys who have been successfully representing juvenile clients at the Superior Court in Camden for over 100 years combined. Several members of our defense team have also served as prosecutors in the past. To speak to an attorney our staff about your Camden juvenile case, call us anytime 24/7 at 877-450-8301.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Being Held?

When a child is believed to be a risk to himself, others or to property, they may be kept in custody. All juveniles are housed at the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center located at 8 S. Woodbury Turnersville Road, Blackwood, NJ. The juvenile is entitled to a retention hearing the day following initial incarceration. The child may be released as a result of this proceeding if your Camden juvenile defense lawyer can be demonstrated that there is no threat to the public, to the juvenile or that it can be sufficiently addressed through home detention.

Will The Juvenile Have A Criminal Record If They Are Convicted?

All records and proceedings in juvenile matters are “closed”. What this means is that the public, including employers, licensing boards and colleges, have no access to these records. The only exception is where the juvenile is waived up to adult court or where they are subject to Megan’s Law upon turning 18 years of age.

Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?

If you are the parent or guardian of a child charged with a juvenile offense, you are required to retain an attorney. The reason is because New Jersey Law mandates that every juvenile be represented by a licensed attorney whenever they walk into court. You have no ability to speak for your son or daughter or otherwise act as their representative. For those who demonstrate that they are unable to afford a lawyer , the public defender will be appointed to represent the juvenile.

Are The Penalties For Juveniles The Same As Adults?

The primary mission of juvenile delinquency proceedings are to rehabilitate and secondarily to promote acceptance of responsibility. The penalties in juvenile cases are much different based on these considerations. Fines are rarely imposed and the jail terms are significantly reduced. For example, instead of facing up to 20 years for a first degree crime, a juvenile is exposed to up to 4 years of detention if convicted. A second degree crime carries 3 years as opposed to 10 years. Lastly, a third degree crime carries two years whereas an adult case can trigger up to 5 years in state prison.

Juvenile Attorneys in Camden New Jersey

The City of Camden is unquestionably the hub for juvenile offenses in the region as the home of the Family Division of the Camden County Superior Court. The is the only place where a case alleging aggravated assault, marijuana possession, terroristic threats, distribution of CDS or another criminal offense against a minor can be heard in the county. There is no jurisdiction on that part of a municipal court to hear charges involving juvenile delinquency. The attorneys at our firm, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, are highly skilled in the defense of juvenile matters at this courthouse. In fact, we have over a century in practice between us. To speak to a lawyer our staff immediately, call us at 877-450-8301.