Somerset County NJ Juvenile Defense Lawyers
Juvenile Attorney in Somerville, New Jersey
Police in Somerset County will pursue any person who they think is committing a crime, regardless of their age, which is why minors are arrested in Somerset County on a regular basis on charges ranging from underage DWI to possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. As a juvenile charged with a criminal offense, or the parent of a child facing juvenile charges, this can be an overwhelming time of uncertainty. You want to protect yourself and your child from both the immediate consequences of being adjudicated deliquent and the possibility of having a juvenile record hanging over their head in the future. When dealing with the juvenile justice process in New Jersey, an experienced juvenile defense lawyer can help you successfully navigate through the process and fight to secure the best possible outcome. Alissa Hascup is a skilled former prosecutor who now serves as a passionate defense attorney for juveniles in Bridgewater, Somerville, Hillsborough, Bound Brook, Branchburg, Warren, Watchung, and throughout Somerset County and New Jersey. Her experience on both sides of the justice system allows her to formulate highly effective defenses that position her clients for superior results. If you or your child is facing juvenile criminal charges in Somerset County, contact The Law Offices of Alissa Hascup for a free consultation about your specific juvenile case. We can be reached anytime by phone at 862-257-1200 or contact us online.
Somerset County Juvenile Court Information
When you are a juvenile issued a criminal complaint or summons and you are a resident of Somerset County, your case will be handled in the Family Division of the Somerset County Superior Court. This is fundamentally different from the adult criminal justice system, in which cases are heard in the county or municipality where the charges were filed. So, as a Somerset County juvenile facing charges, your case is sent to the Somerset County Superior Court, which is located at 20 North Bridge Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876. The main court office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 908-231-7191.
The Family Division of the Somerset County Superior Court handles all juvenile deliquency cases, including those involving underage drinking/possession of alcohol, distribution of CDS, theft, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief. The Family Division Manager for Somerset County is Joseph Bolles, whose contact number is 908-231-7617. The Assistant Family Division Manager is Maryann Millman-Stives, who can be reached at 908-231-7600. You can find out more about Somerset County Superior Court by visiting their website.
Juvenile Charges in Somerset County, New Jersey
Juvenile cases in Somerset County can proceed in a number of ways. First, the Juvenile Unit will evaluate your case to determine whether it should be handled through formal hearing before a Juvenile Judge or go through less formal proceedings like a Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) or Juvenile Referee. The latter are alternatives that typically apply in cases where the minor is charged with a less serious offense, such as petty theft or disorderly conduct. Regardless of the path of your juvenile case, it is essential to have an experienced juvenile defense attorney working to minimize your exposure to potential penalties. Fortunately, there are a host of juvenile sentences that may be achievable if an outright dismissal is unlikely. For instance, you may be able to have your charges downgraded to a municipal ordinance violation (similar to a ticket), plea to a lesser offense, perform community service, pay a fine, make restitution to the victim, undergo counseling or therapy, participate in a work or educational program, or write a book report to resolve your case in a favorable manner and move on with your life.
Somerset County NJ Juvenile Detention
Juveniles who are charged with more serious crimes such as robbery or unlawful possession of a weapon, may be detained during or after their case in Somerset County. Since 1999, Somerset County has been sending its youth who are to be held in detention to the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center, which is located at Apple Orchard Lane, P.O. Box 7164, North Brunswick, New Jersey, 08902. The Center’s main number is (732)-297-8991. To find out more about the Juvenile Detention for Somerset County, visit the Somerset County Juvenile Detention page.
There are several other juvenile institutional services that may be used in Somerset County juvenile deliquency cases, including the following:
- Home Detention Program: electronic monitoring
- Advanced House Arrest: some community supervision
- Juvenile Justice Intensive Case Management: similar to probation with a case manager
- Advanced Station House Adjustment: community service program for juvenile cases involving disorderly persons or petty disorderly offenses after participating in a stationhouse adjustment
Contact a North Plainfield NJ Juvenile Defense Attorney to Discuss Your Case
If you have questions about a juvenile criminal matter in Somerset County, contact the Law Offices of Alissa Hascup in 862-257-1200 today for a free consultation with a Somerset County juvenile defense attorney. Ms. Hascup represents minors in juvenile court from North Plainfield, Franklin Township, Basking Ridge, Manville, Montgomery, Green Brook, and throughout Somerset County.
