Howell police take a moderate amount of juveniles into custody. Drug possession is probably the most common charge filed against juveniles in Howell. The most widely-used drug among juveniles in New Jersey is marijuana. However, prescription pain killers like oxycontin have seen a huge surge in usage in the last 5 years or so. If your child has been charged with a Howell juvenile drug offense or any other crime, call to speak with a New Jersey Juvenile Lawyer.
Juvenile delinquency proceedings in New Jersey are not criminal proceedings. While the system closely resembles the criminal process, the juvenile law system in New Jersey is considered to be an exercise of the state’s “parens patriae” function. The general philosophy that is supposed to guide the juvenile court is to aim to rehabilitate the juvenile through reformation and education. This is to restore the delinquent juvenile to the position of a responsible citizen.
A juvenile charged with a drug offense or other criminal act in Howell will have their case heard in the Monmouth County Superior Court – Family Part. New Jersey juvenile law is governed largely by NJSA 2A:4A-21. That statute articulates the general purposes of juvenile law in the state. It lists them as:
1) Preserving the unity of the family;
2) To further the public interest by removing certain criminal conviction consequences from juveniles. The idea is to replace those consequences with rehabilitation. This may include appropriate programs, supervision and other sanctions to promote accountability and protect the public;
3) To remove juveniles from their homes only if absolutely necessary. This would be when vital to protect the juvenile’s health, safety, or welfare. This could also be to protect the public in the case of a juvenile that is out of control;
4) To ensure that juvenile who are under the jurisdiction of the court are subject to discipline and the protection of the state. Also to ensure that these children receive appropriate support to safeguard them from abuse or neglect;
5) To balance the need to rehabilitate the juvenile versus the need to protect the public from victimization.
Howell Township is located in southern Monmouth County, New Jersey. Several important roads traverse Howell. These include Route 9, Route 195 and Route 33. Many 17-year old juveniles are charged with criminal offenses after making foolish decision while driving. These include drug use and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.
Other common offenses that juvenile are charged with in Howell include assault and burglary. Burglary charges in Howell may also accompany other charges like trespassing, defiant trespass, and criminal mischief. Assault charges usually occur as results of fights between juveniles. Local schools are increasingly referring acts that occur on school property to the police. Actions that are taken by the school such as suspension and expulsion are completely separate from the juvenile justice process.
If a juvenile in Howell is charged only with traffic offenses, their case will be heard in the Howell Township Municipal Court. For any criminal charges, the case will be sent to the Family Division of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office is located at 132 Jerseyville Ave, Freehold, NJ 07728.
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