Sylmar Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
The Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse is located at 16350 Filbert Street, Sylmar, California, 91342, in Los Angeles County, and the phone number is (818) 256-1180. This is a superior court for minors under the age of 18 who have broken the law. We have vast experience in California juvenile law.
Representing juvenile clients in court requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. The rules and procedures in Sylmar Juvenile Court are distinct from those in adult courts. For instance, juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial or bail, making it crucial to have a lawyer with specific experience in juvenile law.
Suppose your child has been arrested in San Fernando Valley. In that case, they can either be issued a citation and released, or they will be detained at the Sylmar Juvenile Detention Facility. If they not were taken into custody, the citation will provide a court date called an “arraignment.”
At this arraignment hearing, the juvenile's defense lawyer will typically enter a denial of the petition and set a pretrial court date. Suppose the juvenile is in custody. In that case, the juvenile district attorney must file a petition within 48 hours, or the juvenile is entitled to a release while their case is pending.
After the petition is filed, the juvenile's first court date is called a “detention hearing.” At this hearing, the juvenile referee or judge will get information from the juvenile probation department, the juvenile deputy district attorney, and the juvenile defense lawyer before making a ruling.
What Factors Are Considered?
The judge will consider many different factors to either continue detaining the juvenile or release them pending a future court date. These factors include the following:
- Whether the juvenile is a flight risk.
- Whether the juvenile violated a prior court order.
- Whether detainment is necessary to protect the juvenile.
- Whether detainment is necessary to protect another person or property.
Notably, a pretrial date is scheduled for the attorneys to discuss discovery issues and negotiate a possible resolution to the case. Suppose the juvenile remains detained. In that case, this pretrial date must be scheduled the following week after arraignment unless time is waived.
Suppose the juvenile was released. In that case, the pretrial date will typically be scheduled several weeks later. Often, Sylmar juvenile judges will participate in a private conference in the judge's chambers to resolve the case.
If a juvenile judge sets a case for “adjudication,” it means they are setting the case for trial. By law, juveniles are not given the right to a trial by jury. Instead, the juvenile court trials are conducted by a judge or commissioner who acts as both judge and jury. In some cases, a juvenile can be tried as an adult when they commit certain crimes.
What are the Common Types of Juvenile Offenses?
Our Sylmar criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience defending juvenile clients. We make regular appearances at the Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse and have successfully defended countless numbers of juveniles charged with misdemeanor and felony charges, including the following:
- Drug possession,
- Drug possession for sale,
- Possession of alcohol,
- Fake ID by a minor,
- Vandalism and graffiti,
- Violent crimes,
- Murder,
- Attempted murder,
- Carjacking,
- Grand theft auto,
- Robbery,
- Sex crimes,
- Rape,
- Theft crimes,
- Underage DUI.
Our Los Angeles juvenile crime lawyers can intervene before charges are filed or obtain a diversion process. This can help juveniles avoid a criminal conviction, which can adversely affect their future employment opportunities.
Regardless of the alleged crime, your child needs a skilled juvenile criminal defense attorney to defend them. At Eisner Gorin LLP, we will thoroughly review all the specific details of their case, leaving no stone unturned, and discuss their legal options. We will clearly explain how we can help your child.
If your child has been arrested and is currently in custody at Sylmar Juvenile Detention Facility, give us an opportunity to explain the juvenile legal process and formulate a defense strategy.
We can aggressively negotiate with prosecutors in the juvenile court system to help your child receive rehabilitation rather than harsh legal penalties. This approach can provide hope for your child's future. Contact us for additional information. Our law firm is based in Los Angeles.
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