Are there any special considerations in criminal defense cases involving juveniles?

Yes, special considerations usually come into play when criminal defense cases involve juveniles. In California, juveniles are treated differently than adults in criminal court, as they are considered to have diminished capacity or an inability to understand the consequences of their actions. This means that they cannot be held to the same standards as adults and any punishments that are handed down need to take their age into account. Juveniles are given more lenient sentences if convicted, such as probation or community service instead of jail time. They may also receive counseling or other rehabilitative services if appropriate. Depending on the case, juveniles may be tried as adults, though this is rare and is determined by the judge. In California, the district attorney has the discretion to decide whether to charge a juvenile as an adult. When defending a juvenile, it’s important for the attorney to consider the rehabilitative services available to the juvenile and work to get them the best outcome possible. The attorney may also be able to work with both the judge and the prosecutor to have the case transferred to juvenile court, which may result in less severe penalties. Overall, it’s important to understand that the criminal justice system treats juveniles differently than adults, so it’s important to take any special considerations into account when preparing a criminal defense case involving a juvenile.

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