Juvenile Delinquency
Our firm is uniquely qualified to represent minors who are accused of committing a crime in California.
We understand the importance of family and will assure you that your child's case will be handled the same way as if it was our child needing representation. Our firm is prepared to help the child get past their current legal troubles, and get them on the right track to become a responsible adult.
Juvenile delinquency proceedings are governed primarily by the Welfare and Institutions Code, the Penal Code, and the applicable Rules of Court. The "Juvenile court" is the division of the superior court in which juvenile delinquency proceedings take place.
The juvenile court is considered a civil rather than a criminal forum even though it adjudicates violations of criminal laws by minors (youth under the age of 18). However, in juvenile court, a minor receives many of the same constitutional protections that an adult would receive.
Juvenile vs. Adult Court
Understanding the differences and advantages
Rights NOT Available in Juvenile Court
- • Bail or O.R. release
- • Jury Trial
- • Deferred entry of judgment for drug offenses
- • Drug treatment instead of incarceration
- • A preliminary hearing
- • Probable cause determination within 48 hours
Advantages of Juvenile Court
- • Broader range of dispositional options
- • Greater emphasis on rehabilitation
- • Focus on education and training
- • Court must act in minor's best interest
- • Goal of rehabilitation over punishment
When a Minor is Arrested
Being arrested can be traumatic - imagine if it were your child
Police Options After Arrest
- • Make a record of the arrest and let your child go home
- • Send your child to an agency that will shelter, care for, or counsel your child
- • Make your child come back to the police station
- • Give your child a notice to appear
- • Put your child in juvenile hall ("detention")
Important Rights
If the police want to talk to your child about what happened, minors have the right to remain silent and to be read their legal rights before being interrogated. Your child has the right to a lawyer who is effective and prepared. Remember, your child will need excellent representation at the earliest possible stage.
Juvenile Defense Services
Comprehensive representation for juvenile matters
Police Investigations
Prior to arrest or charges
Arraignment & Detention
Hearings and release proceedings
Adjudications
Trial proceedings in juvenile court
Transfer Hearings
Fitness motions to adult court
Disposition Hearings
Sentencing in juvenile court
Record Sealing
Petitions to seal juvenile records
Your Child Needs Help?
Don't wait. Contact juvenile defense attorney Shep Zebberman immediately for a free consultation.