California Juvenile Defense Lawyer
The Rosenfeld Law Firm has a juvenile defense lawyer who is experienced in dealing with the California juvenile justice system.
Our juvenile defense lawyer has achieved positive outcomes for minors (juveniles); outcomes which have resulted in minors being able to put mistakes behind them so that they can go on to lead happy and successful lives.
If you are looking for a juvenile lawyer in Sacramento California, or in the surrounding counties of El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles, contact a juvenile defense lawyer at The Rosenfeld Law Firm.
Dealing with the Juvenile Justice System
It's a parent's worst nightmare - your child has been detained by the police for committing a criminal offense.
You experience a whole gamut of emotions from fear for your child's safety to feelings of guilt for having not been a "good parent."
Apart from the emotional upheaval, you have a multitude of questions regarding the juvenile justice process and whether you should contact a juvenile defense lawyer.
Since most parents have never experienced having to deal with the juvenile justice system, the most important thing you can do for yourself, and to help your child, is to immediately seek out the assistance of an experienced juvenile defense lawyer to represent your son or daughter.
Our juvenile defense lawyer at The Rosenfeld Law Firm has extensive experience in defending minors and working with the juvenile court system to achieve the best possible outcome for your child.
The Juvenile Justice System Is Different
The role of law enforcement and the juvenile justice system differs from the adult justice system in a myriad of ways.
First, the seriousness of the matter will determine whether or not the police elect to place the minor in custody and refer the case to juvenile court.
The officer may address minor offenses by detaining and warning the minor against further violations, then releasing the child to the custody of his/her parents or guardian, in which case a juvenile lawyer may not be required.
However, when the matter is serious enough for referral to juvenile court, then a juvenile court intake officer will decide whether to:
- Dismiss the juvenile offense
- Handle the juvenile offense informally
- Or file a formal "petition" which sets forth the allegations
Make sure that your child is represented by a juvenile defense lawyer who understands how to deal with the juvenile justice system.
Informal Outcomes for Juvenile Offenses
If the matter proceeds informally, the minor appears before either a probation officer or a juvenile judge. It is best if your child’s juvenile defense lawyer is present. The outcome of such informal adjudications may be:
- A stern lecture
- Requirement to attend counseling sessions
- Repay damages to a property owner
- Community service
- Probation, etc.
This is, of course, always preferable to the matter proceeding to formal adjudication through the court.
The goal of the juvenile defense lawyer at the Rosenfeld Law Firm is to seek an informal resolution of the case and our firm has spent many years developing steps to best achieve this goal.
Formal Petitions for Juvenile Offenses
Where the juvenile criminal offense is serious enough to warrant a formal petition, the minor is formally charged before a juvenile court judge or referee so it is imperative that your child be represented by a juvenile defense lawyer.
At that point, the juvenile court either takes jurisdiction of the case, or if the seriousness of the crime or the minor's personal characteristics are such that the court believes the offense should be tried in adult court, the judge may set a "fitness hearing" where the prosecutor will argue that the facts and circumstances are such that the case should be moved to adult court.
The juvenile defense lawyer will, of course, argue that the matter should be kept in juvenile court.
If the matter is retained in juvenile court, the minor may enter into a plea agreement, just as an adult, or the matter is set for "adjudication" (a "trial" in adult court).
Your child’s juvenile defense lawyer should be involved if the matter proceeds to adjudication and the judge "sustains the petition" (finds the charges are true). The judge will then set the "disposition" ("sentence" in adult court).
A disposition in juvenile court may be anything;
- From periodic monitoring by the court
- To the court's ordering the juvenile placed in a group home
- To the court ordering the minor to be placed in the juvenile division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Sacramento’s Rosenfeld Law Firm
As you can see, it is imperative that your child have the proper legal representation by a juvenile defense lawyer as early as possible. The California juvenile justice system is complex and not easily navigated without the assistance of an experienced juvenile defense lawyer.
Along with juvenile defense, Sacramento’s Rosenfeld Law Firm’s other areas of practice include prison law, mental health law, appellate law, DUI defense, criminal defense and federal criminal defense.
For more information regarding the juvenile justice system or to contact a Sacramento juvenile defense lawyer, please call 916-447-2070. |
