Juvenile Law
Juvenile law is comprised primarily of two seperate and distinct bodies of law commonly referred to as Juvenile Dependency and Juvenile Delinquency. Juvenile Delinquency law, which is codified in section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, governs individuals under the age of 18 who have commited a crime. Juvenile Dependency law, which is codified in section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relates to minors who have been placed at risk of abuse or neglect and have thereby been removed from the custody of their parents.
It is important to note that although both bodies of law deal with juveniles, the substantive law and the procedures involved vary drastically. However, one similarity to note is that an individual is NOT afforded the right to a jury trial in either juvenile delinquency or juvenile dependency courts. All decision are made by a designated judge. Therefore, it is imperative to retain a lawyer who is familiar with the attitudes and expectations of judges assigend to juvenile cases.
At California Criminal Defense Center, we have handled thousands of juvenile cases in Southern California courts. We have litigated a wide spectrum of issues dealing with various facets of juvenile law. Unlike many firms who are either familiar with juvenile delinquency or juvenile dependency, we are highly skilled in both.
If you or someone you care about is dealing with a juvenile-related matter, please contact one of our offices immediately. Every stage of the proceedings may in some aspect be a critical stage.
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