Hackensack NJ Juvenile Trespassing Lawyer

Defense Attorney for Minors and Young Adults in Bergen County and New Jersey

You have inevitably seen the signs before; they read “No Trespassing,” but there are so many instances where there are no signs to indicate that you are on private property. In other cases, you simply don’t realize that it is actually illegal to be on public property during certain hours. People young and old make mistakes. Sometimes accidents and misunderstandings happen. However, New Jersey classifies trespassing as a criminal offense and these charges are often issued against juveniles, students, and young adults who end up facing serious consequences. Alissa Hascup is an award-winning defense attorney who serves as an aggressive advocate for minors and young people charged with trespassing in New Jersey. As a former prosecutor, Ms. Hascup employs her experience on the other side of the criminal justice system to construct the best possible defenses for her clients. With offices in Little Falls, Camden, Morristown, and Hackensack, she represents clients in courts across the State, including those in Morris County, Bergen County, Middlesex County, and Passaic County.

When you need someone to stand up for you or your child, Alissa will go to battle on your behalf. She is committed to protecting the rights and the futures of New Jersey’s youth, and she is ready to fight for you. If you are facing trespassing charges in Fort Lee, Edison, Elizabeth, Mahwah, Clifton, or elsewhere in New Jersey, Alissa Hascup can help. Contact her offices today at 862-257-1200 to find the answers to your questions. Consultations are always provided free of charge.

Trespassing Charges in New Jersey

As stated above, trespassing is a criminal offense in New Jersey, outlined in section N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3 of the New Jersey Criminal Code. You can be charged with trespassing for a variety of actions. In fact, the State delineates among “defiant trespassing” and “unlicensed entry of structures.” If you are accused of entering or remaining in a place after being notified against it, through verbal communication, signage, or fencing, you can be charged with defiant trespassing, which is a petty disorderly persons offense. On the other hand, if you enter or remain in a structure or research facility and you are not licensed or privileged to do so, you can be charged with unlicensed entry of structures, which is a disorderly persons offense. Further, there is another offense known as “peering” that is related trespassing. This involves looking into a window or opening of a building, thereby invading the privacy of another person. Peering is a fourth degree crime in New Jersey, which is the most serious of these offenses.

Juvenile Trespassing in New Jersey

If you are facing juvenile trespassing charges in New Jersey, you are subject to the rules and procedures of the New Jersey juvenile justice process. This means that you will be required to appear in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live. So, if you are charged with trespassing in Clifton but you live in Newark, your case will be heard in Passaic County Superior Court. You are legally required to have an attorney at these proceedings. Finding the right one can truly turn the tide in your case.

If the judge decides that you did commit an act of trespassing or peering, you are not convicted, but adjudicated delinquent.” In juvenile court, the overarching legal standard is the best interests of the child, so judges have broad discretion to determine the appropriate penalties in a given case. During juvenile sentencing, judges may impose probation, community service, detention, or restitution payments, among others. Before anything is decided, it is essential to have a skilled defense lawyer arguing for the most favorable outcome.

Trespassing Charges for NJ Students and Young Adults

If you are 18 or older and charged with trespassing in New Jersey, you are legally an adult so your case will be adjudicated in the local Municipal Court in the town where the charges were issued. So, if you are charged with trespassing in Hackensack, you will be required to appear in Hackensack Municipal Court. As mentioned above, trespassing charges vary based on the specific alleged offense. Defiant trespassing is a petty disorderly persons offense, which may result in a sentence to serve up to 30 days in the county jail and a fine of up to $500. Unlicensed entry of structures is a disorderly persons offense, which may result in a sentence to serve up to 6 months in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Lastly, peering is a fourth degree crime, which is punishable by up to 18 months to be served in New Jersey State Prison.

Contact a Clifton NJ Trespassing Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or your child has been charged with trespassing in New Jersey, it is in your best interests to have an experienced advocate and advisor in your corner. Alissa Hascup regularly protects the rights of minors and young adults in courts and schools in Parsippany, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, and throughout New Jersey. Contact her offices to discuss your current situation and find the answers you need. Simply call 862-257-1200 today or fill-out an online contact form to begin your conversation.