Consequences of Juvenile Crimes on Halloween
Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights for children and teens. Children often look forward to the piles and piles of candy they can collect. Teens often enjoy spending time with friends and watching scary movies. Some teens may engage in criminal mischief with friends, which often leads to life-changing consequences.
Common Teen Crimes on Halloween
Some of the most common crimes that teens commit on Halloween include:
- Assault: Teens may get into disagreements with others, which can lead to criminal assault charges.
- Minor possession: Teens who participate in drinking may be charged with underage possession or drinking.
- Distribution of alcohol to minors: Teens over 18 years who distribute alcohol to those under 18 years can be charged with the distribution of alcohol to minors.
- Possession of illegal drugs: Both teens under and over the age of 18 years can be charged with possession of illegal drugs.
- Trespassing: Some teens may be charged with trespassing for entering neighbors’ properties, even if their intentions are to elicit some Halloween fear.
These are just a few crimes or charges that teens can be charged with on Halloween. Some of these charges may lead to expensive fines, whereas others could result in a permanent record.
Potential Consequences of Teen Halloween Charges
The specific consequences depend on the crime, but teens who commit crimes on Halloween may be met with some harsh charges. Teens may be required to pay expensive fines. For some crimes, they may be suspended or expelled from school. A criminal record could cause them to lose their current employment. College scholarships could be rescinded. Depending on the crime, some teens may even be required to serve time in a juvenile detention center.
While some juvenile crimes may be expunged when the teen gets older, not all are. This means your teen’s charges could follow them throughout life, affecting their ability to go to college or work in certain careers. The charges that your teen receives will likely depend on their age, the details of the crime, and if they have prior offenses. Either way, it’s important to consider their options before being charged.
Why Work with a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
A single mistake shouldn’t ruin the rest of your teen’s life. Teens frequently get caught up in the excitement of Halloween and sometimes make bad decisions. If your teen gets into trouble this Halloween, consider talking with a criminal defense lawyer. New Jersey has a few programs that may allow your teen to do community service in lieu of jail time. The state also has first-time offender programs for some charges that may give them a second chance. Whatever you do, you never want to ignore criminal charges.
A criminal defense lawyer may also be able to negotiate a reduced sentence. For example, the judge may be willing to require alcohol or drug classes instead of possession charges. These classes can help your teen better understand their mistake while also helping to protect their future. Teens don’t always understand the severity of their decisions. You need a criminal defense lawyer who understands this and can help them protect their future.
Contact an Experienced Marlton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Teen Charges in Burlington County
Was your teen arrested or charged with a crime in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Gelman Law, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with a crime in Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Cherry Hill, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 861-4236 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 850 Rt 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.
