Passaic County NJ Juvenile Defense Attorney

Defense Lawyers for Juvenile Criminal Charges in Paterson, New Jersey

Whether you are charged with juvenile marijuana possession, shoplifting, distribution of CDS, disorderly conduct, or another juvenile criminal offense in Passaic County, New Jersey, the consequences can be severe and impact your life your years in the future. Police in Paterson and Passaic County don’t care that you are a minor and they will take you into custody for any number of alleged crimes. Then, you are left to deal with the New Jersey juvenile justice process, which is entirely different from the adult criminal justice process. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. You can have an experienced New Jersey juvenile defense lawyer helping you to avoid the damaging repercussions of the charges against you and working to keep your juvenile record clean. If you or your child has a juvenile criminal case in Passaic County, it is critical understand all of your rights and to protect yourself throughout the legal process. Alissa Hascup is a highly skilled Passaic County juvenile defense attorney and former prosecutor who uses her extensive knowledge of both sides of the justice system to deliver superior results for clients in Paterson, Clifton, Little Falls, Wayne, and throughout Passaic County and New Jersey. To discuss your juvenile criminal case with Ms. Hascup today, contact her offices at 862-257-1200 for a free consultation.

Passaic County Juvenile Court Information

As mentioned previously, the juvenile justice process in New Jersey operates under separate rules and procedures from the criminal justice process for adults. For example, when a juvenile is charged with a criminal offense, their case is heard in the Family Division of the Superior Court in their county of residence, as opposed to the county where the charges were issued. In other words, if you live in Wayne, and are accused of a crime in a different county, your case will be heard in the Family Division of Passaic County Superior Court.

The Passaic County Superior Court is located at 77 Hamilton Street in Paterson, New Jersey. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the main court office can be reached at 973-247-8000. For additional information on the Passaic County Superior Court, please visit the Passaic County Superior Court website.

How Passaic County Handles Juvenile Cases

If you are taken into custody as a juvenile, police can decide whether or not to file a formal criminal complaint against you or to pursue an alternative resolution, such as calling your parents or requiring you to perform community service. If law enforcement officials do decide to file a criminal complaint, they are sent to the Passaic County Family Court and the Juvenile Unit of the Passaic Prosecutor s Office. The Juvenile Unit will then review the complaint and consider a variety of factors, such as your age, your prior juvenile record (if any), and the severity of the alleged offense, before determining how your case should be handled.

More minor offenses and minors with no record are often diverted through a Juvenile Conference Committee or Juvenile Referee. Cases involving more serious offenses and juveniles with previous criminal history are typically adjudicated through court proceedings before a Juvenile Judge. Regardless of the trajectory of your juvenile case, it is imperative to have an experienced juvenile lawyer who can walk you through the process and help minimize the potential consequences.

Fortunately, juveniles in New Jersey have many alternative dispositions available to them, as the purpose of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate and reform minors, not to send them to detention. As a juvenile defendant, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you to achieve a dismissal, a plea to a lesser offense, community service, fines, restitution payments, mental health counseling, work and educational programs, or another outcome that allows you to get back to your life as soon as possible.

Juvenile Detention in Passaic County, New Jersey

If you, your son, or daughter are facing juvenile charges for criminal mischief, simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, or another criminal offense, contact the Law Offices of Alissa Hascup today at 862-257-1200 for a free consultation with a Passaic County juvenile defense lawyer who can answer all of your questions and work to secure the best possible outcome. Ms. Hascup represents minors in West Milford, Woodland Park, Wanaque, Passaic City, Hawthorne, and throughout Passaic County.