What legal help is available to juveniles who have been charged with a crime?

In California, if a juvenile (a person under the age of 18) is accused of a crime, they may be eligible for legal help in the form of court-appointed counsel. This type of legal help is available to juveniles who have been charged with criminal offenses in both juvenile and adult court. The court may appoint an attorney to represent the juvenile in the juvenile court process and to provide legal advice. In addition, a juvenile accused of an offense may have the right to have a lawyer represent them during interrogations and/or interactions with police or investigators. If a juvenile is charged as an adult (age 16 or over) and faces the possibility of imprisonment, they have the right to have an attorney appointed by the court to assist them. A juvenile may also hire an attorney to represent them and to provide legal advice and guidance throughout the process. If the charges against a juvenile are dismissed by the court, the juvenile may be eligible for legal help in the form of pro bono (free) legal services. These services provide legal help to those who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. Many community legal aid organizations offer free legal help to juveniles and other individuals in need. Finally, some counties in California may also offer juvenile diversion programs for minors who are accused of committing a crime. These diversion programs provide juveniles with the opportunity to resolve their case without a trial or criminal record. In many of these programs, juveniles are also offered legal assistance from a lawyer or legal advocate.

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What legal help is available to juveniles who have been charged with a crime?

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