Los Angeles juvenile crime attorney | juvenile criminal defense lawyer Los Angeles

CALIFORNIA JUVENILE CRIME DEFENSE

California Juvenile Crimes • Crimes by Minors
Juvenile Deliquency • Juvenile Court

Los Angeles Juvenile Crimes Attorney
California Juvenile Defense Lawyer

In California, crimes committed by minors (17 years or younger) are prosecuted in the California juvenile court system.

Juvenile courts handle cases involving children between the ages of 10 and 17. The intent is to rehabilitate the child, not punish him or her. The consequences depend on the seriousness of the crime and the criminal history of the child.

Types of juvenile crimes include:

Skipping school (truancy)
Gang-related activities
Underage alcohol consumption
DUI (driving under the influence)
Speeding and driving without a license
Running away from home
Probation violations
“Three Strikes” cases
(repeat offenses)

Theft, shoplifting, burglary
Vandalism
Drug use
Arson
Trespassing
Sexual misconduct
Fighting in School

California Law
Under California law, minors can be arrested under one of two categories:

Juvenile delinquency: this is the same as committing types of crimes adults commit—serious felony offenses like murder, rape, assault and robbery—to less serious crimes like shoplifting

Status offenses: these are acts are against the law because they’re committed by a minor—truancy, curfew violations, running away

In addition, the crime can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on its seriousness:

A misdemeanor conviction can result in probation, detention in a juvenile facility like a boot camp or ranch, a fine, or a combination. Minor infractions, such as a motor vehicle violation, are generally punished with a fine.

A felony conviction is much more serious. Consequences can include imprisonment in a state institution like the California Youth Authority, which is like a state prison for adults, and/or treatment programs, detention, home arrest (electronic monitoring), probation, community service, or graffiti cleanup.

Charging and Convicting Minors
California Juvenile Court is very different from adult criminal court because it has a unique set of rules and procedures. For example, minors are not entitled to a jury trial or bail. The decision to charge a crime as a misdemeanor or felony rests with the prosecutor.

Also, dismissals can occur at any stage in the process. Arresting police officers, juvenile hall intake officers and detention officers all have the authority to completely close your child’s case or mandate informal probation before the case goes to court.

When a Minor is Tried as an Adult
In cases involving a serious felony or violence, the court may decide to send the juvenile to adult court and try him as an adult. This decision is left up to the judge and the prosecutor. A minor may be tried as an adult depending on:

The severity of the crime
The degree of criminal sophistications
The probability of rehabilitation (and history of prior attempts)
Previous criminal history

If it’s determined that the minor should be tried as an adult, the juvenile case is dismissed and the prosecutor brings a regular criminal case to adult court, where the punishment can be state prison or the California Youth Authority (CYA).

Time is of the Essence with a Juvenile Crime Charge!
If your child is charged with a juvenile crime and you contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately, you may be able to get your child’s case dismissed in its initial stages. In some cases, a knowledgeable juvenile attorney may be able to minimize the juvenile offense charges your child faces—if contacted early enough.

Without an experienced juvenile crime defense lawyer, your child could go through needless juvenile court proceedings and could wrongfully end up in juvenile boot camp, detention ranch or even the California Youth Authority (state prison for juveniles).

Work With a Lawyer Experienced in Juvenile Cases
At the law offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates, we have helped countless families deal with the arrest of a minor child. We know the juvenile system and we advocate for our clients. Our goal in every juvenile case is to:

Get the child released from custody
Convince the District Attorney not to file charges if possible
Get a dismissal (acquittal) or reduced charges
If convicted, get the least restrictive penalty (community service instead of juvenile boot camp)

Contact Stephen G. Rodriguez for a free evaluation of your child’s case.

Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez
633 West 5th Street
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071

Telephone
(213) 223-2173

Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates represent clients in the Los Angeles county area, which include, Airport Courthouse, Alhambra Superior Court, Antelope Valley Court, Bellflower/Cerritos Courthouse, Beverly Hills Court, Burbank Courthouse, Catalina Courthouse, Central Arraignment Court, Central Civil West Courthouse, Chatsworth Court, Criminal Courts Building/Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Compton Superior Court, Culver City Court, David V. Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center, Downey Courthouse, Eastlake Juvenile Court, East Los Angeles Court, El Monte Courthouse, Glendale Courthouse, Hollywood Court, Inglewood Courthouse, Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse, Long Beach Superior Court, Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse, Central District Court (Downtown Los Angeles Federal Court), Malibu Court, Mental Health Courthouse, Metropolitan Courthouse, Norwalk Superior Court, Pasadena Superior Court, Pomona Courthouse North, Pomona Courthouse South, Redondo Beach Courthouse, San Fernando Court, San Pedro Court, San Pedro Courthouse Annex, Santa Clarita Court, Santa Monica Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Sylmar Juvenile Court, Torrance Superior Court, Van Nuys Courthouse East, Van Nuys Courthouse West, West Covina/Citrus Court, West Los Angeles Court, and Whittier Superior Court.

Some of the terms that pertain to our practice include, but are not limited to: dui, child abuse, identity theft, drunk driving, fraud, domestic violence, grand theft, felony, kidnapping, narcotics, robbery, misdemeanors, restraining order, TROs, arrest warrant, theft, hit and run, vandalism, arson, shoplifting, stalking, cyber stalking, embezzlement, burglary, extortion, bench warrant, expungement, criminal threats, sex crimes, solicitation, probation violation, suspended license, carjacking, gun weapon, attempted murder, petty theft, alternative sentencing, lewd conduct, drug possession, clear criminal record, juvenile offense, seal juvenile records, prostitution, rape, bail, criminal appeal, assault, battery, attempted murder, solicitation for prostitution, criminal threats, trespass, commercial burglary, residential burglary, theft crimes, credit card fraud, violent crimes, proposition 36, perjury, murder, attempted murder, three strikes, prostitution, rape, statutory rape, receiving stolen property, forgery, vandalism, weapons, gun charges, vehicular manslaughter, disorderly conduct, drug diversion, DEJ, grand theft, grand theft auto, house arrest, electronic monitoring, marijuana, conspiracy, petty theft with prior, attempt crimes, drug offenses, bribery, blackmail, child abuse, and bench warrant.