What legislation is in place to protect juveniles involved in the court system?

In California, juveniles who come into contact with the court system have several legal protections established by legislation. The California Welfare and Institutions Code provides for several safeguards such as the prohibition of any type of cruel or unusual punishment of a youth, a prohibition on transferring a child to adult court, and a requirement for a minor to be interviewed before appearing in court. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1977 provides additional protections for minors in the criminal justice system, such as prohibiting juveniles from being confined in adult jails. It also requires that juveniles be treated differently from adults who commit the same offense, and that charges will be dropped if a minor is determined to not be a danger to public safety. Finally, the California Constitution gives juveniles the right to an attorney if they are charged with an offense that can result in incarceration. The attorney must be present at all court proceedings and at any questioning by law enforcement. Additionally, juveniles have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney appointed if a minor cannot afford one. Overall, the legislation in place to protect juveniles in California provides for important protections and safeguards for minors who come into contact with the court system. These protections help ensure that minors are treated fairly and given the opportunity to receive a fair and just outcome under the law.

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What legislation is in place to protect juveniles involved in the court system?

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