Has your child been charged with a crime in Los Angeles, California? Call Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation at (310) 557-1700. Our Los Angeles juvenile crimes lawyers can step in to protect your child’s rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
We are a respected criminal defense law firm that takes juvenile cases seriously. Our legal team has over 100 years of combined experience and has helped clients across the city respond to charges ranging from minor offenses to serious felonies. We are prepared to do everything we can to defend your child if you hire us to represent you.
Call or reach out online today to learn more about your legal rights going forward.
Why Should I Hire Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers To Defend My Child’s Juvenile Case in Los Angeles, CA?
Juvenile court focuses on rehabilitation, but the consequences can still be serious. A sustained petition may lead to probation, placement in a facility, or, for some older teens accused of violent felonies, transfer to adult court. Your child needs an attorney like those at Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers who is familiar with the Los Angeles juvenile justice system and the options available at each stage.
Here are some of the reasons families throughout Los Angeles, CA, trust our firm with their child’s defense:
- Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers have four decades of combined experience handling cases in the area
- We’ve won awards from Avvo, The National Trial Lawyers, and more
- We take the time to understand your child’s background and needs so that we can advocate for a disposition that prioritizes rehabilitation over harsh consequences
- Our legal team has the resources and willingness to take cases to trial if the prosecution will not offer a fair resolution
- We will treat you like family and keep you informed at every stage, so you are never left wondering what comes next
The prosecution may already be building a case against your child. The sooner you bring in an attorney, the sooner we can begin working to challenge the evidence and protect your child’s future. Call today to get started with a free case review with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.
How Does the Juvenile Court System Work in California?
California’s juvenile justice system operates separately from the adult criminal court system, and the differences are significant. These cases are handled under the Welfare and Institutions Code, for one, and the terminology and procedures are all distinct as well.
Under WIC § 602, the juvenile court has jurisdiction over minors between the ages of 12 and 17 who are alleged to have violated any state or federal law. Children under 12 can only be brought into the system for a narrow list of extremely serious offenses. The proceedings begin when the district attorney files what is known as a petition rather than a criminal complaint. If the court finds the allegations to be true, the result is called a “sustained petition,” not a conviction.
This distinction matters. A sustained petition in juvenile court does not carry the same weight as an adult conviction. It generally will not follow your child in the same way, and in many cases, the record can later be sealed entirely.
California no longer sends juveniles to the state-run Division of Juvenile Justice, which was closed in 2023. All youth committed to secure facilities are now housed at the county level, closer to their families and communities.
We Can Help With All Kinds of Juvenile Crimes Case in Los Angeles
Juvenile offenses in California cover a wide range of conduct, from relatively minor incidents to serious violent crimes. The stakes involved depend heavily on the nature of the charge and your child’s prior history with the system. Regardless of how serious the allegations are, every case deserves an appropriate defense.
Our juvenile crimes lawyers in Los Angeles are prepared to handle cases involving:
- Theft and burglary
- Vandalism and property damage
- Drug-related offenses
- Assault and battery
- Weapons possession
- Robbery
- DUI and underage drinking
- Gang-related charges
- Sex offenses
- Cyberbullying and internet-related crimes
- Status offenses such as truancy and curfew violations
Some of these offenses may be charged as misdemeanors, while others could be filed as felonies depending on the facts of the case. The way a charge is classified can significantly affect the range of consequences your child faces and whether a transfer to adult court is even a possibility.
What Are the Potential Consequences of a Juvenile Adjudication in California?
If a juvenile court sustains a petition against your child, the judge has wide discretion in deciding what happens next. California law gives juvenile courts the authority to impose a variety of dispositions based on the severity of the offense and the minor’s individual circumstances.
Possible consequences of a sustained petition include:
- Formal probation with conditions such as drug testing and counseling
- Mandatory participation in treatment programs
- Removal from the home and placement in a foster care setting or group home
- Restitution payments to the victim
- Commitment to a county-run Secure Youth Treatment Facility for the most serious offenses
For minors who are transferred to adult court and convicted there, the consequences become dramatically more severe. An adult conviction can result in a sentence to state prison, and it carries the long-term effects of a permanent criminal record.
Collateral Consequences
The impact of a sustained petition in a juvenile crimes case can reach well beyond the courtroom. Families should be aware that the following collateral consequences may apply:
- Academic discipline, including suspension or expulsion from school
- Difficulty gaining admission to colleges and universities
- Loss of eligibility for certain scholarships and financial aid
- Barriers to future employment, particularly if the record is not sealed
- Immigration consequences for non-citizen minors, which can include removal proceedings
- Restrictions on driving privileges
One of the most important things to understand is that many of these consequences can be avoided or minimized with the right legal strategy. California law allows juvenile records to be sealed in many situations, which effectively erases the adjudication from public view. Our criminal defense attorneys can advise you on whether your child may be eligible and help you pursue that relief at the appropriate time.
What Defenses Can Be Raised in a Los Angeles Juvenile Case?
Just like in adult court, the prosecution must prove every element of the charges against your child. In a juvenile proceeding, the standard of proof is still “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is the highest standard in the legal system. That requirement gives your child’s defense attorney meaningful room to challenge the case.
At the outset of your case, our attorneys will review all of the evidence and determine which defense strategy gives your child the best chance at a positive result. Possible defenses in a juvenile case include:
- Lack of intent: Many offenses require proof that the minor acted with a specific state of mind. If your child did not intend to commit the alleged act, that element may not be met.
- Mistaken identity: In cases involving witness testimony or surveillance footage, there may be reason to challenge whether your child was actually the person involved.
- Illegal search and seizure: If law enforcement obtained evidence in violation of your child’s constitutional rights, that evidence may be excluded from the case.
- Self-defense: If your child was responding to a physical threat, their actions may have been legally justified.
- Insufficient evidence: The prosecution may simply lack the proof needed to meet the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard, and our attorneys will expose those weaknesses.
- Coercion or peer pressure: In some cases, a minor may have been pressured into participating in conduct they would not have engaged in on their own. While not always a complete defense, this can influence how the court views the case and the appropriate disposition.
At the end of the day, every case is different; the right defense depends entirely on the facts in question. We will build a strategy tailored to your child’s situation and pursue every available avenue to protect their future. Call today to learn more about what you should do next.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Los Angeles Juvenile Crimes Attorneys
Juvenile charges in Los Angeles, CA, are serious, but they do not have to define your child’s future. California’s juvenile justice system is built around the idea that young people deserve a second chance.
At Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers, we have over 100 years of combined experience defending young people in Los Angeles County and will fight for your child’s rights to the very best of our ability.
Contact our Los Angeles juvenile crimes attorneys today to schedule your free consultation.
