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

Yes, criminal defense cases involving juveniles have several special considerations. In California, juveniles under the age of 18 are considered to have a different legal status than adults. Juveniles have the right to have an attorney present during all police interrogations, and they have the right to remain silent. Additionally, the standard of guilt is lower for juveniles than adults; juveniles must only be found guilty if there is “clear and convincing evidence” that they committed the alleged offense. In addition, juveniles must be sent to juvenile court unless the state decides to transfer their case to adult court. If a juvenile is convicted of a crime in adult court, their punishment may be drastically different than if they had been convicted in juvenile court. In juvenile court, the goal is to rehabilitate the juvenile and provide them with treatment and services; whereas in adult court, adult punishments such as imprisonment may be imposed. Finally, juvenile proceedings are often confidential, meaning the court proceedings and the outcomes are not made public. This is done to protect the juvenile’s privacy and to help them move forward with their life. In some cases, a juvenile may be able to have their criminal record sealed or expunged, which means they will no longer have a criminal record. Overall, criminal defense cases involving juveniles have some special considerations, such as the right to have an attorney present, lower standard of guilt and different punishments, as well as confidentiality. These considerations are important in order to protect the rights of juveniles and help them transition back into a normal life.

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

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