JUVENILE LAW
Description
In New Jersey, matters involving juvenile offenders are handled in the Family Court system rather than in the
Superior Court Criminal system.
Many different rules, procedures, and potential outcomes apply to these cases.
We can help
Our firm has defended juveniles throughout the State of New Jersey. We assist our clients during the entire
judicial process and
have helped juveniles charged with serious crimes including:
- Arson
- Aggravated Assault
- Bail Hearings
- Domestic Abuse
- Drug Crimes
- Escape
- Fraud
- Hit and Run
- Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity
- Murder/ Manslaughter
- Parole/Probation Violations
- Robbery/ Burglary
- Sexual Assault, Megan's Law, and Other Sex Crimes
- Weapons Offenses
We realize that young people and their families often have special needs and problems including divided families,
alcohol or drug use, school issues, other abuse-related problems, and psychological issues. Our vast experience
enables us to help families reach a resolution for many of those problems.
We are able to direct juveniles and their families to services and programs that can:
- help the juvenile's defense
- minimize the risk that the juvenile will re-offend or become involved in further problems
Attorneys
Paralegals
Why Choose Us?
Helmer, Paul, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. defends thousands of juveniles charged with crimes. Six former
assistant county prosecutors (one of whom is a retired police officer) with over a hundred years of criminal litigation
experience constitute a formidable team unmatched in New Jersey.
Yaron Helmer was Chief of the Camden County Prosecutor's Juvenile Unit. He has supervised and/or handled thousands
of juvenile cases. We know what these cases can do to families and juveniles and are
compassionate and efficient in handling these matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click on question to view answer.)
- 1. Should I bother to hire a lawyer for my child if
the matter is only going to "Juvenile Court" and not criminal court?
YES! Even if the case is handled in Family Court (Juvenile Court), the consequences for your child can still be
severe and can include house arrest or even incarceration in a juvenile detention facility (jail).
- 2. If my child is "convicted" in juvenile court,
will he/she have a criminal record?
NO! If your child is "adjudicated delinquent" in Family Court, that adjudication is not a criminal conviction under New Jersey Law.
- 3. Is my child entitled to a jury trial in "Juvenile Court"?
NO! All matters in Family Court involving juveniles who have been charged with a criminal offense are heard
by a judge only. The judge
alone hears evidence presented and determines whether the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
- 4. Is my child entitled to bail if he/she is alleged to have committed a criminal offense and is arrested?
NO! In the Juvenile Justice System there is no provision for bail. A Family Court judge will determine if the charged
juvenile may be released to his/her parent(s) or guardian and under what conditions, such as electronic monitoring,
or whether, based upon the seriousness of the offense charged and any prior problems, the juvenile will
be held in a juvenile detention facility until the hearing.
- 5. Even though my child is less than 18 years old, someone told me that he/she could
be prosecuted in criminal court --- is that true?
YES! It is possible for a Family Court Judge, under certain
circumstances in the case of serious criminal offenses such as murder and aggravated assault, to transfer the
prosecution of an alleged juvenile offender from Family Court to adult criminal court.
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