Going over what these two types of juvenile crime mean and can lead to while speaking with a California juvenile defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh will allow you to obtain the best possible legal outcome.

What Is A Status Offense?

A status offense is an act that is not usually considered a crime. But, if this act is committed by someone who is considered a minor, then it becomes a crime.

Or, more specifically, it becomes a “status offense,” which serves as a legal violation that can lead to legal consequences.

Some of the most notable and common status offenses are as follows:

• Drinking alcohol while under the age of 21.
• Skipping school.
• Running away from home.

Every single one of the above is considered a status offense.

If a juvenile is found guilty of a status offense, then they can end up in some form of legal trouble. But, this legal trouble is unlikely to be significant, although speaking with a lawyer is always wise.

What Is A Delinquent Act?

A delinquent act is a criminal act that would still be a crime if the one who committed it was not a minor.

Just as an example of the above, if a juvenile beats up another person, then that is considered assault. Assault is a crime regardless of the individual’s age, meaning that it can, and always will, lead to criminal charges.

Even though the above is true, the juvenile justice system prioritizes rehabilitation. Given this fact, a juvenile who is charged with a juvenile act will likely face a less significant sentence than if they committed this crime as an adult.

On the other hand, if a juvenile commits an especially serious crime – murder, for example – then they can, and likely will, be charged as an adult and receive a sentence that an adult would receive.

What Are The Consequences Of Being Charged For A Delinquent Act?

• Going through a diversionary program.
• Counseling.
• A citation.
• Probation.
• Community service.

A wide variety of different consequences can be levied on a juvenile who is charged with a delinquent act. Some of the most notable of these consequences are as follows:

None of these consequences are guaranteed. But they are common, meaning that it is always within the realm of possibility that your child if charged with a delinquent act, will receive at least one of these consequences.

To ensure that they do not receive these consequences – or, on the other hand, that they receive lesser consequences that do not actively affect their life to the same degree – it is very important that your child works with a lawyer.

Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If your child is being charged with a delinquent act, then they need a lawyer. Speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh today to ensure that your child obtains the defense that they need.

Going over the terminology that underlies California’s juvenile criminal justice system and the ways it differs from the adult criminal justice system while speaking with a California juvenile criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Katie Walsh will allow you and your child to obtain a good legal outcome.

California’s Juvenile Justice System Belongs To The Civil Law System

Right before we can explain the terminology differences that underlie the state of California’s juvenile criminal justice system, we must clarify one key fact.

The state of California’s juvenile justice system is reliant upon the Juvenile Court System. The Juvenile Court System is part of California’s civil law system, as opposed to the criminal law system.

If your child is arrested and sent to a Juvenile Court, then, technically, they are not embroiled within the criminal law system but, rather, the civil law system.

Given these facts, the terminologies and rules that underlie juvenile justice differ from those that define the adult criminal justice system.

The Key Terminology Of California’s Juvenile Criminal Justice System

A variety of terms are used within California’s juvenile criminal justice system. Some of the most notable of these terms are as follows:

• Petitions.
• Dispositions.
• Sanctions.
• Adjudicated.
• Hearings

The definition of these terms can be found right below:

• A petition is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, equivalent to a criminal charge.
• A disposition is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, equivalent to a sentence.
• A sanction is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, a punishment/consequence.
• A case against a juvenile is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, adjudicated.
• A proceeding against a juvenile is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, a hearing.

Some clarifying examples of the terminology outlined above are as follows:

• If a juvenile was arrested for assault, and if the judge believes that they committed this assault, then they will “sustain the petition,” which serves as an act not unlike that of a criminal charge.
• If a juvenile is given a sentence that comprises community service and a fine, then this sentence is referred to as a “disposition” rather than as a sentence.
• If a juvenile is given specific punishments within their disposition, then these punishments are referred to as “sanctions,” as opposed to punishments or another related term.
• If a juvenile has a case against them relating to an alleged criminal act, then that case will be “adjudicated” as opposed to tried.
• If a juvenile goes to proceedings regarding this case, then these proceedings will be referred to as a “hearing.”

Being aware of this terminology and what it refers to will make it easier to understand the complexities of the juvenile criminal justice system and, in turn, to navigate these complexities.

Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer 

Even if you are aware of the terminology that underlies California’s juvenile criminal justice system, that is not enough. 

You must speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh, who will help you obtain the best possible legal outcome for your child.

What Is A Juvenile Criminal Record?

A criminal record is a document that pertains to one particular individual, listing their arrests and convictions. With that definition in mind, a juvenile criminal record is a criminal record for an individual who is under the age of eighteen and, as such, is not being charged in adult court.

Right before we move on, it’s important to note that some individuals who are under the age of eighteen can be charged in adult court. This is often the case when a serious criminal act – murder and sexual assault, to name two examples – has been committed.

If a juvenile is charged in adult court due to the severity of the crime they committed, then they will have an adult criminal record, as opposed to a juvenile criminal record.

If a juvenile is charged within the juvenile criminal justice system, then their conviction will be contained within a juvenile criminal record, as opposed to an adult criminal record.

What Are The Long-Term Consequences of Juvenile Criminal Records?

A variety of long-term consequences can arise from a juvenile criminal record. Some of the most significant of these consequences are as follows:

• Being forced to pay a significant fine, which takes a long period of time to pay off.
• Experiencing changes to their status as an immigrant living in the United States.
• Being unable to obtain the necessary security clearance for certain types of employment.
• Having their driver’s license suspended or even revoked.
• No longer being able to stay in public housing or, in turn, to make use of public housing consequences.

Some of these consequences are more temporary than others, but each one of these consequences can and will affect the choices available to an individual and, in turn, the long-term future that can arise from these choices.

Can A Juvenile Criminal Record Be Sealed?

To answer the question above, “Yes, a juvenile criminal record can be sealed.” But, in order for this to take place within the state of California, there are three conditions that must be satisfied. 

The three conditions that can allow an individual to seal their juvenile criminal record are as follows:

• The juvenile is now eighteen.
• The case was never transferred to adult court.
• The juvenile case has concluded.

Regarding the second item on the list above, this also means that no adult charges were given. If they were, then a juvenile criminal record cannot be sealed due to the significance of the charges.

Even though a juvenile criminal record can be sealed, doing so is not always easy. Rather, a thorough and effective petition must be developed and then given to the court.

A failure to develop an effective petition can, and will, lead to the juvenile record remaining unsealed. This will keep the arrests and convictions accessible.

Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer 

If your child has a juvenile criminal record, then they may be able to seal it. Speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh, and we will assist you and your child in obtaining the best possible legal outcome.

What Is A Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A juvenile criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense. But, of course, that’s not all. A juvenile criminal defense lawyer is, more specifically, a lawyer specializing in defending juveniles.

Within the state of California, the juvenile justice system differs from that of the adult criminal justice system. All of these differences can make it very difficult to navigate.

Even though the outcomes of being charged as a juvenile tend to be less severe than those that arise when being charged as an adult, they can still be quite severe.

A failure to understand these legal outcomes and, more importantly, a failure to defend against them can lead to your child being given an unfortunate sentence that does not suit them.

Given the facts outlined above, a juvenile criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer who can and will assist your child in navigating the complexities of the juvenile justice system and, in turn, obtaining the best possible legal outcome.

How Can A Good Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Assist Your Child?

A good juvenile criminal defense lawyer can assist your child in several key ways. You can find each one of these outlined right below, as well as a basic clarification of the legal outcomes they engender.

Guiding Your Child

Going through the juvenile criminal justice system is never easy; it’s complex and labyrinthine, with a variety of procedures and terms that are often quite difficult to make sense of.

A competent juvenile criminal defense lawyer will guide your child throughout their time in the juvenile criminal justice system. This allows your child to understand what is happening and what they must do to obtain the legal outcome they desire.

Creating An Effective Defense Strategy

Creating an effective defense strategy is essential to obtaining the best possible legal outcome. By creating a strategic and tactical defense strategy, your child can defend themselves and obtain the legal outcome they desire.

Just as an example, if your child has been accused of hitting a vehicle, then their lawyer will find errors/flaws in the evidence available, allowing your child to obtain a better legal outcome than they would have been given.

Protecting Your Child’s Rights

Your child has specific rights that they can and should exercise. An experienced juvenile criminal defense lawyer will make sure your child is aware of their rights and assist them in exercising them.

Outside of the above, a good juvenile criminal defense lawyer will also ensure that your child’s rights are protected and that they are not misled in a way that hurts them or their case.

If your child is unaware of their rights or does not know what they have to do and what they don’t have to do, then they can be misled. But, with the help of a lawyer, they will only do what they must do, making it easier for them to obtain the legal outcome that they desire.

Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer 

No matter what your child is charged with, they need a lawyer. Speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh today, and we will assist your child in obtaining the best possible legal outcome.