What is an informal juvenile hearing?

An informal juvenile hearing is a form of adjudication used in the juvenile justice system of California. It is an informal, non-adversarial process that is used instead of a formal juvenile delinquency hearing. In an informal hearing, the juvenile does not have a right to an attorney, and the prosecutor does not represent the state. The hearing is held in a less-formal setting and there are no witnesses, evidence, or jury present. The informal hearing is usually conducted by a Juvenile Court Referee, who is sometimes called the Review Referee. This person has the authority to make final decisions on matters involving juvenile presiding. The Referee interviews the juvenile, reviews the facts and evidence, and makes a decision. The decision may include probation, counseling, community service, or payment of fines. Informal juvenile hearings are advantageous in that they give the accused youth an opportunity to confront the evidence and assess the charges against him or her. They are also less intimidating than a formal hearing, providing the juvenile with an opportunity to explain his or her situation and provide mitigating evidence. In some cases, the Referee may even recommend that the charges be dropped, or that the juvenile does not have to go to court. Informal juvenile hearings are a beneficial option for youths facing delinquency charges in California.

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What is an informal juvenile hearing?

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