Juvenile arrests are very common. As criminal lawyers located in Hackensack, we have counseled a number of Bergen County families whose young adult has had a run-in with the local police.
One of the challenges of being a teenager is giving in to peer pressure. Your son or daughter may be a model citizen who has never had any kind of problems. Yet, depending on who your child is friends with, peer pressure can be overwhelming.
How to handle the dreaded call?
If your child calls from the police station, stay calm. Advise your child not to discuss the case over the phone. All phone calls are recorded & what your child tells you could be used against him/her. Tell your child to keep quiet & call us immediately.
How did your child get arrested?
As NJ Juvenile Lawyers, it’s been our experience that kids get arrested in groups. When kids get together, there’s always a friend who is more daring and tempts the others to follow along. Before you know it, instead of enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon, your child becomes involved with activities that lead to Simple Assault or Theft charges.
For example, when a peer “dares” your child to steal a T-shirt, the last thing on your kid’s mind is the possibility of getting arrested. Peer pressure blinds teenagers to the consequences of their actions.
Being accepted or avoiding ridicule is your child’s only priority.
ways to prevent a juvenile arrest
No parent ever expects this, but what can you do to prevent it?
Here are best practices for parents and young adults who may find themselves at the local police station:
- Parents should know their child’s friends.
- It’s always the “bad apple” in the group that initiates the criminal activity.
- Parents and teens should communicate about planned activities and have an agreed-upon exit plan.
- Question your child with specific details about where he/she intends to “hang out”
- Teens should know everyone who is in the car, whether they are the driver or a passenger. When a police officer stops a vehicle, everyone in the car is involved. If drugs are found, everyone gets arrested.
- Teens should be circumspect about using cellphones for calls, texts, videos, and photos. All digital recordings last forever.
- Teach “communication discipline”. A heated text could be the basis for an arrest charging “Harassment”. Teach your child to keep cool no matter what.
important tip: Be Patient! You will Get Your Day in Court
Remember, when you talk to a police officer, everything you say can & will be used against you.
Do not try to explain your story to a police officer. There is always time for that.
If you make a mistake while you are telling your story to a police officer, this becomes evidence against you.
Be patient and hire a New Jersey Juvenile lawyer to help you.
Juvenile Rights
The best NJ Juvenile lawyers will tell you that your kids should know their rights. If approached by law enforcement & questioned, your child can politely say that he/she does not wish to answer any questions. It is important for your child to invoke their right to counsel.
- Take a minute and teach your child about their Constitutional rights.
There’s nothing rude about telling the police that you want a lawyer.
A five-minute chat could pay huge dividends in a criminal charge.
- Take a minute and teach your child about their Constitutional rights.
When speaking with a police officer, we advise that it is crucial to be courteous and cooperate, by providing a driver’s license or other identification, plus vehicle registration.
After that, teens should protect their privacy. “You cannot get in trouble for not talking,”. “Police officers will take note of everything said in their presence and those words might be held against the teenager.”
New Jersey Juvenile Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
If your child is ever arrested or being investigated, we are here to help you. We’ve handled countless juvenile matters & our sole mission is to keep your child’s record clean. Even if your child is facing a minor charge, it is important to fight back. The criminal system is complicated & it’s in your family’s best interest to retain a NJ Juvenile lawyer.
Please visit the Areas We Serve & Practice Areas pages for more information.
- Juvenile Lawyer Near Me
