Millburn Teacher Charged for Alleged Child Endangerment Makes First Court Appearance – TAPinto.net

MILLBURN, NJ – The Millburn High School Teacher charged with child endangerment made his first appearance in court on Friday of last week.

Joseph Pedulla, 57, of Monroe Township, New Jersey was officially charged on Friday, July 28. In an interview with TAPinto about the case, Essex County Public Information Officer (PIO) Katherine Carter said that Pedulla pled not guilty to the charges against him at the first hearing.

Carter also confirmed with TAPinto that Pedulla would be back in court this week for what is called a detention hearing.

“He is due back in court on [July] third,” Carter said. “The hearing on the third is the detention hearing to determine whether or not he will be held till trial, or whether he’ll be released.”

Although the initial press release from the county prosecutor stated the investigation was active and ongoing, Carter could not comment on the matter during the interview.

According to Carter, the hearing will take place in the chambers of Judge Michael Ravin on the eleventh floor, and is scheduled on the docket along with multiple other cases to start at 9:00 a.m.

Carter also noted that New Jersey no longer uses cash bail after passing a major reform package several years ago. As a result, the hearing on the third will be to determine how much of a risk Pedulla poses between the hearing and the trial.

If Pedulla is released before the trial, Carter said that there would most likely be some type of restriction on him, whether it was checking in regularly with the county prosecutor’s office or being restricted from traveling to certain locations.

As always in the United States Justice system, all charges are mere accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until the defendant either pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law.