One of the most challenging aspects of the justice system is the fact that juvenile offenders are often placed in the court system for adults. The penalties are much harsher and the prison environment is more dangerous than a juvenile facility, and often this leads to...
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Juvenile Crimes
What happens to families whose children face juvenile charges?
Understandably, some California parents deal with a lot of stress after learning that their children are facing juvenile charges. If this situation happens, it's helpful to understand what other parents experience during this time. Here's a closer look at what happens...
Is there a bias in juvenile cases?
In California as well as other states, juvenile court has long been an especially unfriendly element of the court system, and there is a considerable amount of opposition to defendants. People in the system need to be ready for this. Juvenile court bias One of the...
Providing juvenile defendants with constitutional protections
According to the Supreme Court, juvenile courts must afford basic constitutional protections. Juveniles have the right to counsel, the right to cross-examine witnesses, the right to silence and the right to advance notice of charges. The Supreme Court is expanding the...
Should juveniles in California get tried as adults?
Not all juvenile crimes are created equal; some are more serious than others. That's why, sometimes, juvenile cases get transferred to adult courts. This happens when the juvenile is charged with a serious crime, or if they’ve had multiple arrests in the past. The...
When are juvenile records automatically sealed in California
When a juvenile is arrested and charged with a crime in California, their records may or may not be automatically sealed once they turn 18. Here are the factors that the court considers. Eligibility for expungement Upon satisfactory completion of your punishment and...
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer for your child’s case
Having your child get arrested in California for committing a serious crime can quickly change your lives. After the initial shock has worn off, it's essential to begin looking for a criminal defense lawyer who can represent them. Choosing a legal professional should...
Police may lie to a juvenile suspect
The police might engage in questionable tactics when interrogating a suspect. “Questionable” does not always mean illegal, as law enforcement may legally lie to someone to elicit incriminating responses. Adults might have difficulty keeping themselves out of trouble...
Proposed California diversion program has its critics
In December 2021, the Los Angeles County district attorney issued a memo announcing a new juvenile diversion program. This proposed program will be expansive, allowing minors accused of many different types of offenses the ability to avoid criminal prosecution so that...
How to help your child when talking about shoplifting
While it might seem intuitive for a parent to dismiss a case of shoplifting something small as a "normal" part of growing up, the reality is that shoplifting is a crime. Even worse, if the child continues shoplifting without intervention, this could set the precedent...