California Juvenile Criminal Lawyer
Los Angeles, CA Juvenile Attorney

Juvenile Court is very different than adult court. When a juvenile is accused of a crime it is considered an act of "delinquency" and requires juvenile court intervention to deal with this delinquency. Juvenile courts have their own special rules and procedures. For example, there are no jury trials in juvenile court and juveniles may not be released on bail.

Juvenile courts handle cases involving children between the ages of 10 and 18. However 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. The decision to try the juvenile as an adult is left up to the judge and the prosecutor.

The intent of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation as opposed to punishment in an effort to make the juvenile a well-adjusted and productive member of society. Juvenile court is generally lenient on first-time offenders as long as it is not a serious charge. The punishment for non-serious charges for first-time offenders is generally a fine and some community service.

What are the Consequences for Juvenile Crimes?
The consequences for juvenile crimes will depend on the seriousness of the crime and the background of the offender. The consequences include fines, treatment programs, detention, home arrest (electronic monitoring), formal/informal probation, community service, graffiti clean-up, camp, and incarceration.

Do I Need an Attorney?
A juvenile charged with a crime may obtain a lawyer at any stage of his/her case. Juveniles have a right to represent themselves but it is often a bad idea to do so. If you are charged with a minor infraction and the worst-case scenario involves a fine then chances are you do not need an attorney. If however you are charged with a more serious crime then speaking to a lawyer is a necessity.

If you or someone you know is accused of a juvenile crime you should speak to a lawyer to learn more about your rights, your defenses, and the complicated legal system. The Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates have experience in juvenile delinquency. Call and speak to an experienced attorney. The initial consultation is free. telephone 1(213) 223-2173.