If your child is accused of committing a crime in the state of California then you are likely worried about their future – and rightfully so. In front of the wrong judge or jury, your child could end up paying for a single mistake for the rest of their life. If you’re facing this situation then we recommend you contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 right away for your free case evaluation. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the potential penalties for a conviction.
Juveniles who are tried in the juvenile system
If your child is tried in the juvenile court system, then they could potentially face a number of different punishments, including community service or being sentenced to Juvenile Hall. California courts consider the juvenile court system to be different from the adult court system in that the purpose is not to punish offenders.
Instead, the juvenile system is intended to correct the behaviors of those who have committed crimes. The punishments, in theory, are designed to help convicted juveniles become productive members of their communities. Some examples of juvenile punishments include:
- Probation;
- Fines and / or restitution to their victim(s);
- Commitment to a correctional facility or Juvenile Hall;
- Training program;
- Community service;
- Placement in a foster home;
- Detention in the Division of Juvenile Justice.
If your child has been arrested, or you suspect that they might be, then you need to contact a criminal defense attorney right away. Reach out to Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for your free case evaluation.
It’s possible to seal juvenile records
If a person is convicted of a crime before they’re 18 years old, then they may later be able to have their juvenile recorded sealed. This means that it wouldn’t show up in a public record search. As a result, if they go through a background check for a job, it won’t be found. They’re also able to legally say they do not have a record if asked.
However, it’s important to know that having a juvenile record sealed doesn’t happen automatically and there are some offenses that can’t be sealed. Those non-sealable offenses include murder, carjacking, robbery, arson, most sex crimes, and similar violent felonies.
If a person wants to seal their juvenile record, then the first step is to file a petition with the juvenile court. This needs to be done in the county in which they were convicted. The person must meet the following criteria to have their juvenile record sealed:
- They must be at least 18 years old;
- They must be able to convince a judge that they’ve been rehabilitated;
- They cannot have any type of convictions as an adult that involve moral turpitude – whether felony or misdemeanor;
- They cannot have pending civil litigation resulting from the juvenile crimes they’re trying to have sealed.
As you can see, having a juvenile record sealed can be complicated. As with all issues involving the juvenile criminal system, it’s best to have an attorney on your side. To learn more about your options, reach out to Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free case evaluation.