The criminal charge known as criminal mischief is a fairly common violation heard at the Juvenile Part in Somerset County and Hunterdon County. A juvenile criminal mischief offense is committed when the accused purposely or knowingly damages the property of another. The charge generally cannot arise from reckless or negligent conduct as there is a requirement that the child’s conduct be intentional. The only exception where your son or daughter could be charged with criminal mischief for unintended damage is where their conduct involves fire, explosives, or other dangerous means. Our firm, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has significant experience defending juveniles arrested for criminal mischief at the Superior Court in both Somerville and Flemington. This is where your child’s case will be heard notwithstanding the fact that it may have occurred in a town like Bernards, Clinton, Readington, Bridgewater or Franklin.
Somerville NJ Juvenile Criminal Mischief Offense
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office must prove several elements in order to conduct your child of criminal mischief in Somerville. He must establish that property of another was damaged, tampered or interfered with by your son/daughter. He will also have to show that this conduct was undertaken a purpose or knowing it would endanger person or property or was done with recklessness as to endangering the person or property of another. There is no requirement that actual harm or damage occur, it is sufficient that the mischief created a risk of harm.
The highest possible degree of a Criminal Mischief charge is a 2nd Degree crime. The second degree criminal mischief charge only occurs when the juvenile’s conduct causes a substantial interruption or impairment which recklessly causes the death of another. When the pecuniary damage caused by the mischievous act is $2,000 or more, criminal mischief becomes a third degree crime. Criminal Mischief is also a third degree crime if a juvenile purposely or knowingly causes a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas or power or other public service. When the pecuniary damage caused to property is at least $500 but is less than $2,000, the criminal mischief is a fourth degree crime. The State is not required to prove purposeful or knowing behavior. If the pecuniary damage is less than $500, the mischievous act results in a disorderly persons offense.
Flemington Juvenile Criminal Mischief Attorneys
The Hunterdon County Superior Court is located in Flemington NJ. This is also where the Juvenile Part that hears criminal charges involving minors is located. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall appear in this venue on behalf of juveniles like yours. Our track record is a solid one with many favorable outcomes derived from our 100 plus years of collective experience and time serving as prosecutors. We have the knowledge and skill your child needs and deserves. Call us 24/7 at 908-722-1011 to speak to a skilled juvenile defense lawyer.
