Juvenile criminal charges are handled by California's Juvenile Court System.

Juveniles may be picked up by the police either for "delinquency" (committing a crime) or a "status offense" -- an age-related offense such as truancy. If a child over 14 commits a very serious offense, the court will hold a "fitness hearing" to decide whether the child should be treated as an adult and tried in the adult criminal court system.

The Juvenile Court system has five steps:

1) filing of petition
2) referral to intake
3) fitness hearing for serious crimes
4) adjudication and
5) disposition.

The potential penalties can be severe; a child under age 16 can be incarcerated until age 21, and a child over 16 until age 25. Juvenile defendants have the right to a lawyer but no right to bail or to a jury trial. It is important to obtain a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to obtain the best results under the particular facts and law of the child's case.

California juvenile criminal defense attorney, Scott R. Cadzow has over 20 years experience representing clients throughout San Diego and Orange counties. He has personally defended many juveniles accused of criminal offenses. He's been successful in getting fines reduced, jail time avoided or reduced and even getting cases dismissed! If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, contact Scott R. Cadzow.

Your juvenile's criminal charge is important to us and
we understand your need for urgent assistance.

Orange County San Diego Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney