Juvenile Defense Attorney in Manhattan Beach, CA
California juvenile delinquency proceedings (Welfare and Institutions Code § 602) are generally confidential and use different terminology than adult court — a minor is not "convicted," but found to have committed an offense, and the goal of the juvenile system is officially framed around rehabilitation rather than punishment. For the most serious offenses, however, a minor’s case can be transferred ("direct filed" or moved via a fitness hearing) to adult criminal court, where adult penalties apply.
Key Points
- Juvenile court proceedings and records are generally confidential, unlike adult criminal proceedings, though this protection is not absolute and specific exceptions exist
- Under California Proposition 57 (2016), the decision to try a juvenile as an adult for serious offenses now requires a judicial fitness hearing in every case — prosecutors can no longer direct-file certain cases straight into adult court without judicial review
- A minor has the right to an attorney in juvenile delinquency proceedings, and early, experienced representation can meaningfully affect whether a case stays in the juvenile system
- Juvenile dispositions can include probation, placement, or commitment to a juvenile facility, with an emphasis (at least officially) on rehabilitation and education
Considerations
- Even though juvenile proceedings are generally confidential, certain serious juvenile adjudications can still have longer-term consequences — including on future background checks in specific, limited circumstances — and this should be discussed directly with an attorney rather than assumed
- Parents and guardians play an active role in juvenile proceedings, and coordinating family involvement with the legal strategy matters
- School disciplinary proceedings sometimes run in parallel to a juvenile case and can have independent consequences
California & Federal Law Note
California Proposition 57 (approved by voters in 2016) eliminated prosecutorial direct-filing of charges against juveniles in adult court for most offenses, requiring instead that a juvenile court judge hold a transfer ("fitness") hearing and make specific findings before a case can move to adult court — a significant procedural protection that did not previously exist in every case.
Related Questions
What happens during a free consultation?
We’ll discuss the facts of your situation — what you’ve been charged with or are being investigated for, where the case currently stands, and what evidence exists so far. We’ll explain the realistic range of outcomes and what a defense strategy might look like. Consultations are confidential, and there’s no obligation to retain the firm afterward.
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