Juvenile Aggravated Assault Defense Attorneys in Trenton NJ
Fights are going to happen, especially in your adolescent years. The key is that, if and when they do occur, that you make sure that it does not affect your future. Being charged as a juvenile with assault, whether it be a simple assault or aggravated assault, is a serious matter. One that if not handled properly could land a juvenile in Jamesburg, which is a juvenile detention center. It could also have serious collateral consequences as well. It could cost a juvenile their chances of being accepted into their dream college. If you or your child has been taken into custody and charged with a juvenile complaint for assault in Mercer County, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced juvenile defense attorney about your options. The juvenile criminal justice system is drastically different than the adult criminal justice system in New Jersey. The attorneys at the Keith Oliver Criminal Law have been representing juveniles accused of various criminal offenses, including possession of marijuana, aggravated assault, simple assault, burglary, trespassing, marijuana distribution and shoplifting for almost a decade now. Our attorneys are well versed in the juvenile criminal justice system. We have a firm grasp of not only how the juvenile criminal justice system runs in New Jersey but also how to protect our client’s rights as best as possible. If you would like to speak with one of the attorneys on staff about your options then please contact us at (609) 789-0779. We will gladly sit down with you, go over the facts of your case and discuss any potential defense in which we may find. As always, our initial consultations, whether face to face or over the phone are free of costs. So, if you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Now here is some key information about juvenile assault charges in Mercer County, including what the potential penalties are.
Juvenile Assault Lawyers in Princeton NJ
Being charged with a juvenile criminal complaint can be devastating to everyone involved. First and foremost, any juvenile charged with a criminal complaint will be forced to participate in one of three types of hearings. Those hearings include an Intake Conference, a Referee Hearing and a traditional courtroom hearing. Which type of hearing a juvenile receives depends on not only the severity of the charges but the juvenile’s criminal history, if one exists. Sometimes, an experienced Mercer County juvenile criminal defense attorney can speak to the prosecutor’s office and seek to have the matter transferred to either an Intake Conference or a Referee Hearing. Now here is some a breakdown on the different assault charges that a Defendant could be charged with.
Juvenile Simple Assault Charges: 2C:12-1(a)
- To be convicted under this section, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office would need to prove that the Juvenile caused bodily injury to another. Bodily Injury has been defined as “physical pain, illness or any impairment of the physical condition”. This a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor) in New Jersey. If convicted, a juvenile could be detained in a juvenile detention center for up to six (6) months, fined up to $1,000, placed on probation, adjudicated and juvenile delinquent (criminal record) community service and anger management. This is the lowest level of an assault charge in New Jersey but with that being said, the penalties are still devastating.
Juvenile Aggravated Assault Charges: 2C:12-1(b) – Third Degree Felony
- To be convicted under this section, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office would need to prove that the Juvenile either caused or attempted to cause significant bodily injury to another. Significant bodily Injury has been defined as “bodily injury which creates a temporary loss of the function of a bodily member or organ or temporary loss of anyone of the five senses”. This a third degree felony offense in New Jersey. If convicted, a juvenile could be detained in Jamesburg for up to two (2) years, fined up to $1,000, placed on probation, adjudicated and juvenile delinquent (criminal record) community service and anger management.
Juvenile Aggravated Assault Charges: 2C:12-1(b) – Second Degree Felony
- To be convicted under this section, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office would need to prove that the Juvenile either caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury to another. Serious bodily Injury has been defined as “bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ”. This a second degree felony offense in New Jersey. If convicted, a juvenile could be detained in Jamesburg for up to three (3) years, fined up to $1,000, placed on probation, adjudicated and juvenile delinquent (criminal record) community service and anger management. This is the highest level of an assault charge in New Jersey, the penalties if convicted are life changing. This is also a serious enough of an offense that the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office may seek to waive the juvenile up to adult court. If that was to happen, the juvenile would be facing anywhere from five (5) to ten (10) years in a New Jersey State Prison.
The major difference between a simple assault and an aggravated assault charges in New Jersey is the type of injury allegedly suffered. This is where an experienced criminal defense attorney can look to attack the State’s proofs. If you would like to discuss the facts of your case with one of our Mercer County criminal defense attorneys then please contact us at (609) 789-0779. The penalties discussed above would be what occurs if the matter is sent to a Judge for adjudication purposes. Depending on the degree and the injuries alleged, a juvenile could have his matter either sent for a Intake Conference or a Referee hearing, where the penalties could be drastically less. However, regardless of the degree a juvenile may be able to obtain what is known as a deferred disposition, which is basically a diversionary program. If the juvenile was to complete the diversionary program without violating any of the terms the charges would be outright dismissed.
Juvenile Assault Attorneys in Robbinsville NJ
If your or your child has been charged with a juvenile complaint for robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, DWI or criminal mischief in Mercer County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our team of of Mercer County juvenile criminal defense attorneys are ready and willing to help assist in anyway possible to help assure this does not affect their future. We serve all of Mercer County, including towns like Hamilton, Trenton, West Windsor, Ewing, Hopewell and Princeton. To speak to one of our juvenile criminal defense attorneys today please contact us at (609)789-0779.