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When School Fights Lead to Assault Charges: Protecting Your Teen’s Rights

Law Office of Katie Walsh
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Nothing prepares you for the call that your child was in a fight and police are involved. What used to end with detention now frequently becomes a criminal case in Orange County. At the Law Office of Katie Walsh, we defend more school-fight assault cases than almost any other charge, most involving good students with no prior record. 

The best news after 20+ years focusing exclusively on juvenile defense: Orange County Juvenile Court still prioritizes rehabilitation. When our Orange County juvenile defense lawyer gets involved quickly, most cases resolve with no juvenile record at all.

Why Orange County Schools Now Involve Police in Student Fights

Post-COVID, Orange County schools report significantly more physical altercations. Many districts have school resource officers and zero-tolerance policies. Even mutual shoving matches or single-punch incidents now result in police reports and DA referrals.

Great bodily injury requires significant physical harm like broken bones, concussions requiring hospitalization, or injuries needing surgery. Minor cuts or bruises don’t meet this standard under California law.

Common Juvenile Assault Charges Filed After School Fights in California

School fights result in several different charges depending on what happened. Here are the most common ones we defend:

  • Simple Assault (PC 240): An attempt to injure someone (no contact required)
  • Battery (PC 242): Any harmful touching like pushing or punching
  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1)): Using backpacks, chairs, or cell phones in ways capable of causing serious injury
  • Battery on School Employee (PC 243.6): Enhanced penalties when staff members are involved

For 16 and 17-year-olds, certain felonies can count as strikes that follow them into adult court. These charges carry serious long-term consequences if not handled properly.

Defenses That Work Against Juvenile Assault Charges in Orange County

We use several proven strategies depending on what actually happened. Every case is different, but these defenses frequently result in dismissals or reduced charges:

  • Self-defense or defense of others: California law allows reasonable force to protect yourself or someone else from imminent harm
  • Mutual combat: When both students willingly fought, prosecutors often decline filing or we negotiate dismissals
  • False or exaggerated accusations: School fights are chaotic and witnesses protect friends; we obtain every video to show what really happened
  • Lack of intent or accident: Horseplay gone wrong or accidental contact doesn’t constitute criminal battery

Video evidence frequently tells a completely different story than police reports. We obtain hallway cameras, cell phone footage, and social media posts that support your child’s account.

What to Expect at Orange County Juvenile Court for School Fight Cases

All cases are heard at Lamoreaux Justice Center. An experienced juvenile judge decides cases, no jury. The judge uses the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard but heavily considers rehabilitation potential.

For first-time offenders with no serious injury, we typically obtain informal diversion under Welfare & Institutions Code § 654.2, counseling, apology letters, community service, then full dismissal. Deferred Entry of Judgment programs last 6-18 months, after which cases get dismissed and sealed.

Speak with an Orange County Juvenile Defense Attorney for School Fight Charges

Do not let your child give statements to police or school administrators without an Orange County juvenile defense lawyer attorney present. Contact us the same day charges are filed.

We offer free consultations and review police reports, videos, and witness statements at no charge. Attorney Katie Walsh has successfully defended hundreds of school-fight cases throughout Orange County. Call the Law Office of Katie Walsh at (714) 351-0178 or contact us online. We answer 24/7 because we know how fast these cases move.

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Client Reviews

I hired attorney Katie Walsh to help my son when he was found with a large amount of drugs on school campus. She got us through the Expulsion Hearing, and miraculously he can go back to school at the winter semester after he catches up with his classes. The...

AR- parent of minor client

I hired Katie Walsh to have my felony convictions expunged. She was able to expunge my record within 6 weeks of me giving her all the information. Even though technically I had a probation violation, and therefore the expungement was not automatic, she was...

AR, criminal client

My 16 year old son was charged with possession of Marijuana, HS 11357(b). I was very concerned about what would happen to him and how this would affect his future. I contacted Ms. Walsh and she assured me that everything would be Ok- and it was. The judge...

CT, parent of juvenile client

My child was charged with Felony Penal Code 597(a)- Animal Cruelty. After hiring Katie Walsh, she got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, counseling, and 40 hours of chores at home. We come back in 6 months and the case will get completely dismissed and...

DH - Parent of Juvenile client

I hired Katie Walsh to represent my son on sexual abuse allegations- P.C. 288(a) and P.C. 288(b)- they were Strike Charges. After negotiating with the D.A., she got all the strike charges dismissed, and got my son released from custody with credit for time...

DR- mother of juvenile client

Katie Walsh was fantastic throughout this entire process! My 13 year old son was charged with two counts of lewd act on a minor, PC 288(a) and was in juvenile hall. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she GOT MY SON OUT OF JAIL and back home with us at the detention...

EG, parent of juvenile client

My 14 year old son was arrested at school for P.C. 311 (child pornography). My son had innocent and stupid nude pictures of himself and friends on his phone. Ms. Walsh was extremely easy to talk to, and made my son feel very comfortable during this process. As...

GK,TK, parents of juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was a life saver when I didn't know what was going on, or how to handle the situation. My young daughter was attacked at her middle school and was seriously injured. At a time when both the school and the police were giving us the run-around and not...

HA, mother of 13 year old Victim Rights client

I hired Katie Walsh to seal my juvenile record of PC 288(a) (lewd act on a minor), after my request had been denied by a Judge and by the Probation Department. After speaking with Probation, the DA and the Judge at a hearing, she was able to get my record...

JW, former juvenile client

I was charged with a Felony Conspiracy charge- PC 182. After hiring Ms. Walsh she got my charged reduced to a misdemeanor right away, and now I just have to do community service and in 6 months my entire case will be dismissed! I would recommend Ms. Walsh if...

KP, juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was like a breath of fresh air throughout this entire process. I was uncertain about the outcome, but she told me everything would be ok- and it was. She had my juvenile record sealed within 3 months of speaking with her. She was always available to...

LR, former juvenile client

Ms. Walsh got the judge to terminate my son's probation and seal his 2 juvenile cases (Penal Code 288(a) and Penal Code 242) even though he had violated my probation by picking up a new case. By getting his record sealed under penal code 786, it means his...

MB- mother of juvenile client

At a very difficult time in my life I contacted attorney Katie Walsh. I am a teacher and was being harassed/stalked by a parent at my school. I wanted a Restraining Order against this person. Ms. Walsh listened to me and made feel like I was her most...

MB, restraining order client

My son was charged with Lewd Conduct, P.C. 647 out of Downey, CA. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she spoke with the District Attorney, Probation, and the Judge. Even though the judge was not pleased with the offer, she was able to get my son Community Service and a...

MG, parent of minor

It is with sincere gratitude that I send this recommendation As a parent of a child that was arrested on a Felony Domestic Abuse charge and over 2000 miles away I had to rely on friend of a friends word that you would be able to help us. Those words couldn't...

MPF, mother of criminal client

I really liked having Ms. Walsh as my attorney. She visited me in Juvenile Hall. I was charged with four counts of Robbery (Penal Code 211). This was my 8th juvenile petition. Ms. Walsh got 2 of the robbery charges dismissed, and I only served 30 days in...

MU, juvenile client

I was arrested for a felony Domestic charge, PC 273.5(a). After I hired Katie Walsh, my entire case was dismissed. I never had to appear in court. I felt very comfortable with Ms. Walsh- she was easy to speak with, she was very accessible and easy to get a...

NF, criminal client

Katie was instrumental in helping me with a criminal matter as an advocate for me and my children when I was a named victim in a DV case. She patiently and expediently addressed all of my questions and was an invaluable source of information. She prepared me...

RG

My daughter was pulled over arrested for having a Fake ID. After hiring Ms. Walsh my daughter did not have to plead guilty- which would have affected her license status. She did community service, completed a legal awareness class, returned in 6 months and...

RS

My 14 year old daughter was involved in an assault and battery- PC 240/242, in Irvine. After hiring Katie Walsh the case was not referred to Court. My daughter was able to complete a class and the case will be dismissed entirely! Ms. Walsh was available to us...

SG, mother a juvenile client

My son was charged with possession of Child Pornography P.C. 311.11(a) - a charge I did not realize a child could be guilty of! As parents were beside ourselves when we found this out, and contacted Katie Walsh. She listened to us, guided us through the...

SH- mother of juvenile client

From San Diego I contacted Ms. Walsh about sealing my juvenile record in Orange County regarding a Petty Theft charge. She was always very responsive to any of my questions, and consistently kept me updated. Even though probation said this would take...

XL, juvenile client
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