Juvenile Drug Crimes
New Jersey Juvenile Drug Crime Defense Attorney
NJ Minor Possession Lawyer
Has your teenager been caught with drugs?
Juvenile Drug Crimes
New Jersey Juvenile Defense Lawyer
When a minor is charged with a drug crime, most of the time that person will be charged as a juvenile unless the crime is considered serious enough for the juvenile to be charged as an adult. While the juvenile process differs from the adult criminal process, many of the penalties for drug charges are the same. My name is Anthony N. Palumbo, juvenile drug defense attorney, and I have extensive experience helping juveniles and their families through experiences involving criminal charges. I know how the juvenile process works and how best to mitigate the damage in your juvenile drug charge.
Contact me for a free initial consultation at 1-866-664-8118 by phone or in person. I represent juveniles against many different drug charges including Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drugs in a Car, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drugs with Intent to Distribute, and Drug Distribution throughout New Jersey including Union County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Essex County, Ocean County, and Somerset County.
Let your teen know how important it is to never speak with the police, answer any questions, or discuss any of the details of the incident with anyone, even their closest friends. Seek out an experienced Juvenile Criminal Attorney immediately. My name is Anthony N. Palumbo, and I have been successfully defending juveniles for over 35 years in New Jersey.
NJ Juvenile Drug Laws
Juvenile drug crimes are brought in the county court where the child resides. Unlike adult criminal proceedings, juvenile proceedings are closed to the public and only the individuals involved in the drug charge may be present. When a complaint is filed against a juvenile, it must be decided whether to dismiss the complaint, or refer it to the juvenile division of the family court. When the case goes to the juvenile division of family court, several hearings take place in which it is determined whether the case should go to trial, and be heard by a family court judge. A juvenile does not have the right to be tried before a jury. The family court judge makes all decisions regarding the drug charge. Drug Charges such as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Less than 50 grams of Marijuana are disorderly persons offenses which are non-indictable offenses. If a drug crime is extremely serious, the juvenile may tried as an adult in county court despite the his minor status.
Penalties & Defenses
The juvenile court can administer most of the same penalties for drug crimes as an adult criminal court, and in lieu of jail time, when it would ordinarily be imposed as a penalty, the juvenile may be sent to a Juvenile Detention center. Since it is mandatory for a juvenile to be represented by an attorney at trial, the question is not whether to hire an attorney, but which one to hire. I have been successfully defending juveniles in New Jersey for many years. Like the penalties imposed on juveniles in drug cases, many of the defenses that can be used are also the same as those which apply in adult criminal court. Although teens have a lower expectation of privacy in schools where drug incidents often occur, drug cases still involve constitutional issues that can be exercised on your teen's behalf.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a juvenile drug crime, I, Anthony N. Palumbo, of Palumbo & Renaud strongly recommend that you contact a knowledgeable and experienced attorney immediately who will protect your rights, freedom, and future. Contact me at 1-866-664-8118 for a free initial consultation by phone or in person.
I represent individuals before all of the Union County municipal courts: Westfield, Cranford, Elizabeth, Clark, Garwood, Hillside, Linden, Mountainside, Plainfield, New Providence, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Fanwood, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Union Township, Berkeley Heights and Summit.
I am Anthony N. Palumbo of the firm Palumbo & Renaud, located on 190 North Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey 07016 and 740 Newark Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208. I defend juveniles charged with criminal offenses throughout New Jersey including Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drugs in a Car, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drugs with Intent to Distribute, and Drug Distribution.
