New Jersey Juvenile Offenses

Juvenile convictions may affect the rest of your life. A juvenile conviction may affect whether you get a driver's license or a particular job. If you get in trouble as an adult, a prior juvenile conviction may affect how a judge views your adult charge. A juvenile conviction may also impact your self esteem - how you view yourself, the path you're on, and your chances at success. For all these reason it's crucial you find an experienced Freehold criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the Monmouth County juvenile court system and how to work with a judge (and prosecutor) to find the most appropriate resolution for juvenile offenders.

Attorney Tara Breslow has represented numerous minors in throughout New Jersey, including Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County and Union County. She is a fierce advocate who will work tirelessly on your child's behalf. She has years of experience advocating for the most vulnerable - minors who find themselves in trouble for the first time and those having difficulty finding the right path.

What Constitutes a Juvenile Offense?

Any adult crime can be charged as a juvenile offense if the individual is under 18. Frequent juvenile offenses include:

• Drug possession
• Simple assault
• Theft
• Disorderly conduct
• DUI/DWI

If this is the juvenile's first adjudication, Ms. Breslow can try to negotiate a deferred disposition if all the necessary criteria are met. This in essence can give a juvenile a second chance.

A deferred disposition may require that the juvenile report to a probation officer or Ms. Breslow can argue for a "non-reporting" type of probation. Please be aware that some counties are hesitant to allow the juvenile to get the benefit of a deferred disposition unless it is an extremely minor offense. This is because once the juvenile completes the deferred disposition all identifying information, such as fingerprints and DNA, must be removed from the system. On several occasions, Attorney Tara Breslow has fought for her clients to overcome this potential obstacle. Since you never know what challenges you will face in Court, it is important to have an attorney that has handled several different types of juvenile matters and will fight to get the best result for the child.

For more serious crimes, juveniles may be tried in adult court and face adult prison. Attorney Tara Breslow is a skilled criminal defense attorney and has the passion and commitment to vigorously represent you if this becomes a possibility.

What Happens If I'm Charged?

If you're charged with an offense in most situations your case will be assigned to a family court judge. Traffic offenses and serious crimes may be tried in different courts. Attorney Tara Breslow has a proven track record of working with family court judges to find the best rehabilitative remedy for you- often community service or restitution - rather than placement in a juvenile detention facility.

It is crucial that minors contact an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact Attorney Tara Breslow in confidence for a free consultation to discuss juvenile offenses or any other criminal matter.