An Atlantic City boardwalk shop owner has died after a 12-year-old boy allegedly held him at knifepoint while others ransacked his shop. Although the boy and a 14-year old girl were apprehended after the armed robbery, police are searching for other juveniles who may have been involved in the attack.
The shop owner, Mahmood Ansari, 66, collapsed and died following the robbery. His family-owned business, City Souvenirs, had been in business for more than 30 years, according to a nephew of Ansari.
The two apprehended juveniles were arrested and charged with robbery, simple assault and other related crimes.
Delinquency charges in New Jersey
When a minor is charged with a crime in New Jersey, if they are found delinquent, the disposition orders will depend on a number of factors, including the seriousness of the situation. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-44(d)(1), the court will also look at:
- the juvenile’s age, previous record, out-of-home placement record or prior social service
- degree of injury to others and extent of property damage
- if the disposition supports family involvement in the safety and well-being of the juvenile
- the threat to and impact of the offense on the community
Under New Jersey law regarding assault charges, the court will take into account factors such as intent to commit bodily harm as well as the actual bodily harm committed. In order to prove assault charges, the prosecution must show that the defendant intended to threaten or cause apprehension in the victim, that the victim believed they would be harmed, and that the defendant actually physically threatened the victim.
In order for assault charges to stick, strong evidence is needed, such as witness testimony, the victim’s account and medical records after the incident. The most difficult element to prove is usually intent, and deliberations over this element often take the most time before the judge can render a final verdict.
Juvenile sentencing
The ultimate goal of disposition orders for juveniles is to rehabilitate youth and prepare them to reintegrate them into society. That is why, depending on the severity of the offense, juveniles may be given community service sentences, released with parent supervision or monitoring, or sent to detention centers rather than prison.
If your child has been accused of a crime, it is essential to have a committed criminal defense attorney serving Atlantic City and Camden who will aggressively protect your child’s rights in juvenile court.
