If your child has been arrested and charged with a juvenile criminal complaint for trespassing, criminal mischief, possession of marijuana, burglary or aggravated assault in Morris County, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help. Our office has been representing juveniles charged with criminal offense in Morris County, in towns like Morristown, Dover, Madison, Mendham, East Hanover, Parsippany, Chatham and Butler for over a decade. One thing that is important to take into consideration when retaining a criminal defense attorneys for your child, is whether or not your attorney specializes juvenile criminal defense. The Juvenile Criminal Justice System in New Jersey is geared completely towards rehabilitation as opposed to the Adult Criminal Justice System which is geared mainly towards punishment.
If your child has been charged with criminal mischief in Morris County, the case will be heard in the Family Division of the Morris County Superior Courthouse, which is located in Morristown, New Jersey. With that being said, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will be the one’s representing the State, just as they do in the adult criminal justice system. If convicted of a criminal mischief as a juvenile, your child might have a difficult time getting accepted into college or obtaining a meaningful job. In addition to potential for incarceration, a juvenile also faces high fines, permanent criminal record, community service and restitution if applicable. If you would like to come into our Morristown office to discuss your options with any one of the eight Morris County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyers on staff at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall please contact our office directly at 973.309.7050. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help assist in any way possible. Now here is some key information on criminal mischief.
Juvenile Criminal Mischief Attorneys in Denville NJ
Pursuant to the New Jersey Criminal Code, criminal mischief can be either a second, third or fourth degree felony and even possibly a disorderly persons offense depending on the value and the type of the property in question. The Legislature has chosen to purposely leave the Criminal Mischief statute extremely broad to encompass a wide array of activity. The offense of criminal mischief is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C17-2. which states in pertinent part:
a. Offense defined. A person is guilty of criminal mischief if he:
(1) Purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means listed in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:17-2; or
(2) Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with tangible property of another so as to endanger person or property, including the damaging or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings.
b. Grading.
(1) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly causes pecuniary loss of $2,000.00 or more.
(2) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor causes pecuniary loss in excess of $500.00 but less than $2000.00. It is a disorderly persons offense if the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500.00 or less.
What’s the Degree of Criminal Mischief?
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Disorderly Persons Offense, also known as a Misdemeanor |
The value of the property damaged is less than $500. |
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Fourth Degree Felony |
The value of the property damaged is greater than $500 but less than$2,000. |
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Third Degree Felony |
The value of the property damaged is greater than $2,000. |
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Second Degree Felony |
If any public services (gas lines, oil lines, water lines etc.) were tampered with and the damage resulted in a death. |
Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyers in Madison NJ
If you or a loved one has been charged with a juvenile criminal offense in Morris County, in towns like Montville, Dover, Denville, Rockaway, Mount Olive or Roxbury, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help. With eight Morristown criminal defense attorneys on staff, our office is one of the largest criminal defense firms in the State, let alone Morris County. If you would like to set up a free initial consultation today with one of our attorneys please contact us directly at 973.309.7050.