Orange County Juvenile Defense Lawyer

At The SoCal Law Network, we understand that facing juvenile criminal charges is a challenging experience for both the child and their family. Juvenile offenses in Orange County can carry long-term consequences, making it critical to handle such matters with care and attention. If your child is facing criminal charges, it’s crucial to work with an experienced Orange County juvenile defense lawyer who can advocate for their rights and guide you through every step of the legal process. Juvenile law often operates differently than adult criminal law, and navigating these differences can be confusing without the right legal support.

Whether it’s allegations of theft, assault, drug-related offenses, or other criminal charges, having a dedicated lawyer by your side ensures your child’s interests are protected. We focus on providing personalized, compassionate representation to minimize the impact of the legal process and work toward the best possible outcome. We are committed to defending your child’s future and making sure they have the support they need to move forward.

No parent wants to see his or her child be charged with a juvenile crime. However, if your child is in this situation, it’s important to seek the best representation possible. Remember, speak to a criminal defense attorney before talking to the police to ensure that you retain your rights and receive fair treatment.

If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges as a juvenile, contact us at 949-305-7995 to speak to an experienced Orange County juvenile defense attorney.

How Can a Laguna Hills Juvenile Defense Attorney Help?

If your child is facing criminal charges, having the right guidance is crucial. Our team of dedicated Laguna Hills and Orange County juvenile defense lawyers is here to provide the support you need during this difficult time. We take the time to explain every step of the process, ensuring you and your family fully understand the potential consequences and options available.

Juvenile law and the juvenile court system are different from those in adult criminal cases. The processes, procedures, and penalties can be confusing, which is why it’s important to have an attorney who is familiar with these nuances. At The SoCal Law Network, we are committed to defending your child’s rights and working to minimize the impact of the legal process. We focus on securing favorable outcomes for minors charged with a variety of criminal offenses. Here are some ways we can help:

Guide you through the entire juvenile court process: We ensure your family understands every step of the process and potential outcomes.
Work to reduce charges and penalties: We aim to lessen the legal consequences your child may face.
Advocate for your child’s rights: We protect your child’s future and ensure their rights are not violated during the process.
Defend against various charges: Our team is experienced with cases involving theft, assault, drug-related offenses, and more.
Offer personalized, compassionate support: We’re here to guide both you and your child through this difficult time, with a focus on their long-term future.

We understand that young people make mistakes, and our goal is to help your child avoid life-altering consequences. By working closely with your family, we aim to reduce charges or minimize penalties whenever possible. We believe in your child’s future and will work tirelessly to protect their rights and potential. Let us guide you through the process so you can focus on what matters most—helping your child move forward.

How Does Juvenile Court Differ From Adult Court?

The juvenile justice system is different in a few ways to compensate for the fact that the defendant is a minor in juvenile court.

Whereas adult court focuses on punishing individuals who are convicted, juvenile court aims to rehabilitate minors.
When a minor is brought to juvenile court, they are said to have committed “delinquent acts” instead of “crimes.”
Juveniles who must wait for their case to be heard are not sent to jail, but rather to juvenile hall.
If juveniles are convicted, they are not sent to jail, but to the California Youth Authority or put on probation.
Juveniles have detention hearings as opposed to bail hearings. During these hearings, a judge determines whether the defendant should wait for their case to be heard in juvenile hall or be released to his or her parents.
Juries do not decide the fate of juveniles, judges do.
Juveniles who are found guilty are not convicted, instead their petitions are sustained. Because of this, juveniles do not have to say they have been convicted of a crime when applying for jobs or schools later on in life.

However, there are some exceptions to these rules. In cases where the crime committed is deemed to be too serious to try in juvenile court, the defendant could be charged as an adult in an adult court. Some courts will require a minor to be tested to determine whether or not he or she is fit to be tried as an adult, although this is not required. Under these circumstances, the minor would be treated the same as any other adult defendant, except they cannot be sentenced to the death penalty. Some crimes that could send a juvenile to adult court include:

Murder
Rape
Robbery
Arson
Carjacking

Staying in juvenile court will ensure that your crime will not follow you for the rest of your life. Because of the leniency typically provided by the juvenile courts, it’s essential that you have a skilled Orange County juvenile lawyer to fight the transfer to an adult court. Call 949-305-7995 to schedule a free consultation with The SoCal Law Network today.

What Penalties Do Juveniles Face?

Although juveniles are not given the same harsh sentences as adults, they still may face serious penalties including:

Diversion – In some cases, the judge can decide to defer to probation prior to filing a petition, meaning the case is never entered into the system. At this point, the minor will have to follow a probation sentence handed down by an officer for up to six months. If the minor does not follow the rules of probation, a formal petition may be filed in court.
Informal Probation – Similar to diversion, informal probation requires that a minor follow probation rules for up to six months. However, in this scenario, the petition has already been filed so the case is officially entered into the system. If the minor follows the rules of probation, the petition could be dismissed.
Deferred Entry of Judgment – If the juvenile admits to the crime, similar to an adult pleading guilty, the judge could completely dismiss the charges as long as the juvenile completes the DEJ program in a timely manner.
Formal Probation – If a judge determines that the minor is a ward of the court, he or she could issue a formal probation sentence. This sentence could involve meeting school attendance requirements, following curfew restrictions, paying restitution, participating in a community volunteer program, attending counseling and more.
CYA Commitment – When tried in a juvenile court, the most severe penalty is being sent to the California Youth Authority. A division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the CYA provides education, training and treatment if necessary.

Are Minors’ Records Sealed?

Juvenile records are not sealed unless you file a petition to request that the court do so. If the court approves the petition to seal your records, all records will be destroyed and no future employers or schools will be able to access them. To be eligible to have your records sealed, you must:

Be at least 18 years old. If you are under the age of 18, at least five years must have passed since the most recent arrest or probation discharge.
Be able to prove that you have been rehabilitated.
Have avoided adult court.
Have no civil suits filed against you.
Have not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Because of the negative effects that a juvenile record can have on the rest of your life, it’s essential that you work with a Laguna Hills and Orange County juvenile attorney to petition to have your records sealed.

What does a juvenile defense attorney do?

The same thing a regular DUI attorney does; but in the defense of a juvenile

How are juvenile offenders processed?

Through the Juvenile Probation Department, the Juvenile Hall (Jail for Juveniles); and Juvenile Court system

Do juvenile charges affect your adult life?

They can, especially if you do not seal your juvenile record or you are charged as an adult even though you are still a juvenile

What are the potential consequences of conviction?

A conviction can have an impact on a person’s ability to obtain employment, immigration status, voting rights, financial aid, and government benefits and result in a jail or prison sentence.

What Does A Juvenile Attorney Cost?

If you are in need of a Laguna Hills and Orange County juvenile attorney to handle juvenile legal matters, consultations with our team are always free. After discussing the case in detail with you, our team will be able to provide you with more information on fees. Defense attorneys typically charge a flat fee, however an hourly rate may be more appropriate for some cases.

Have you or a loved one been charged with a crime as a juvenile? Let The SoCal Law Network and our team of experienced Orange County juvenile lawyers help defend you against the charges.

Call 949-305-7995 to schedule a free consultation today.