Rochelle Park NJ Juvenile Sentencing Attorneys
Juvenile Crime Defense Lawyers in Hackensack, New Jersey
Travis J. Tormey is an experienced criminal defense attorney who represents clients charged with various juvenile offenses throughout Bergen County, including in Carlstadt, Rochelle Park, and Glen Rock. Mr. Tormey has handled thousands of criminal cases in his years of practice, making many appearances in Bergen County Superior Court (felonies) and various Municipal Courts (misdemeanors). In New Jersey, juvenile offenses are handled in Superior Court by the county prosecutor’s office. Mr. Tormey has successfully defended many juvenile clients in criminal cases, including criminal mischief, marijuana possession, and sexual assault. He will use this invaluable experience as well as his long-standing relationships with local prosecutors and judges to secure the best possible outcome to your case. Contact his office anytime at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.
“When my son was arrested for distribution of marijuana and MDMA, our world was a nightmare and we were scared. When we met Travis he reassured us that my son would be okay. When it came time for court we thought that our son was going to be on probation, or even worse, however, Travis was able to get my sons case dismissed. “Exactly what we wanted!” Thank you Travis for all your help. I would highly recommend the Tormey law firm they were excellent!”
– Former client’s mother
Juvenile Charges and the Sentencing Process in New Jersey
The first and most important thing to remember in juvenile cases, as opposed to adult cases, is that the standard is different. The standard in adult court is focused on punishment and deterrence. By contrast, in juvenile court, the focus is on rehabilitation: the standard is the “best interests of the child.” As a result, sentencing is a very different process in juvenile court. Sentencing in a juvenile case can include the following:
- Probation
- Community Service
- Counseling
- Incarceration
- Rehabilitation
- Book Reports
- Restitution
- License Suspension
- Deferred Disposition
A deferred disposition is similar to the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program in adult court. If the juvenile completes all the requirements of the sentence, at the end of the probationary period the judge will dismiss the charges.
Factors to Consider at Sentencing in NJ Juvenile Cases
Similar to the pre-sentence report in adult court, the probation department will create a pre-disposition report of the juvenile so that the judge will be fully informed with regard to the juvenile and the circumstances surrounding the offense. When imposing sentence, the judge will consider the following factors:
- The nature and circumstances of the offense;
- The degree of injury or damage caused by the offense;
- The juvenile’s age, previous record, and prior social services received;
- Whether the disposition supports family strength, responsibility, unity, and the well-being and physical safety of the juvenile;
- Whether the disposition provides for reasonable participation by the child’s parents or guardians;
- Whether the disposition recognizes and treats the unique physical, psychological, and social characteristics and needs of the child;
- Whether the disposition contributes to the child’s developmental needs;
- Any other circumstances related to the offense and the juvenile’s social history as deemed appropriate by the court;
- The impact of the offense on the victim, on the community, and the threat to the public posed by the child.
Contact the Juvenile Defense Lawyers at The Tormey Law Firm for Immediate Assistance
Mr. Tormey has handled thousands of criminal cases throughout New Jersey and will use his legal experience to guide your case through the system en route to securing the best possible outcome. Contact his Hackensack offices anytime at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.