Being convicted of a crime as a juvenile is a serious matter, which may have long lasting negative effects on opportunities to receive adequate employment, a driver's license, and a future full of potential. Juvenile criminal defense cases can vary greatly, which is why it is so important that each case is assessed by a skilled criminal defense lawyer . Our criminal defense lawyers review every case in a timely manner so all legal actions can progress quickly and efficiently. If your child has been arrested for a serious crime in California, you should seek legal representation by a knowledgeable juvenile defense attorney immediately.
Juvenile crimes may include, but are not limited to, the following offenses:
- Aggravated assault
- Sexual assault
- Gang involvement
- Gun possession
- Physical assault
- Defacing property
- Drug crimes, including sales and possession
- Robbery
- Running away from home
Mr. Scafiddi has handled over 500 juvenile delinquency matters (WIC 602). Defending juvenile accused of crimes is different than defending adults in that there is no right to a jury in a juvenile matter. Often time juvenile cases are adjudicated within weeks of the first appearance. In juvenile matters there are a wide range of sentencing options from informal probation up to incarceration in a juvenile correctional facility. Additionally juveniles can be charged with strikes (WIC 707b) offense. A juvenile strike can be used later in life by the district attorney / courts to increase jail/prison time on new adult matters.
