LOS ANGELES DEPENDENCY AND DELINQUENCY COURTS
The laws regarding juvenile delinquency and dependency are different than regular adult criminal cases. Juvenile cases are concerned about what is in the best interest of the child and appropriate measures for rehabilitation. There is no right to a jury trial and a delinquency matter will require the parents or guardians of the juvenile to appear in court. Unlike adult court, many juvenile cases may be sealed, except if enumerated under Welfare & Institutions Code 707b. As such, it is important to have the case kept in juvenile court and hire a qualified juvenile criminal defense attorney to attempt to adjudicate a dismissal by trial, diversion, or informal probation as well as be able to seal the records after the case is resolved.
FITNESS HEARING TO DETERMINE CRIMINAL FILING IN ADULT OR JUVENILE
If the case is going to be filed in adult court, a fitness hearing will be necessary to determine whether the juvenile should be held to answer as an adult. Before filing, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will make a determination as to whether to file the case in adult or juvenile court. They will take into consideration the gravity of the offense, the harm to the victim, prior criminal records, minor’s age, maturity, intellectual capacity, the minor’s impetuosity or failure to appreciate risks and consequences of criminal behavior, and other factors that may provide justification for filing the case in adult or juvenile court. It is necessary to provide the Los Angeles District Attorney mitigating factors prior to filing to keep the case in juvenile court. Moreover, if the district attorney decides to file the case in adult court, the juvenile will be entitled to a fitness hearing. At the fitness hearing the court will take into account the following 5 factors stated under Welfare and Institutions Code 707(a)(1). The court will decide whether the child would not be amenable to the care, treatment, and training program available through facilities of the juvenile court, based on an evaluation of all of the following criteria:
- The degree of criminal sophistication exhibited by the child;
- Whether the child can be rehabilitated before the expiration of jurisdiction;
- The child’s previous delinquent history;
- The results of previous attempts by the court to rehabilitate the child; and
- The circumstances and gravity of the alleged offense.
LOS ANGELES JUVENILE DEPENDENCY AND DELINQUENCY COURTS
Juvenile dependency matters will be adjudicated in:
CHILDREN’S COURT
201 CENTRE PLAZA DRIVE
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
(323) 526-6643
The following courts will adjudicate Juvenile delinquency matters:
CENTRAL JUVENILE COURT
1601 EASTLAKE AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90033
(323) 226-8914
DAVID V. JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER
7625 SOUTH CENTRAL AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90001
(323) 586-6056
INGLEWOOD JUVENILE COURT
110 EAST REGENT STREET
INGLEWOOD, CA 90301
(310) 419-5268
LONG BEACH JUVENILE COURT
415 WEST OCEAN BLVD.
LONG BEACH, CA 90802
(562) 491-5922
LOS PADRINOS JUVENILE COURT
7228 EAST QUILL DRIVE
DOWNEY, CA 90242
(562) 940-8823
PASADENA JUVENILE COURT
300 EAST WALNUT STREET
PASADENA, CA 91101
(626) 356-5757
POMONA JUVENILE COURT
400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
POMONA, CA 91766
(909) 620-3037
COMPTON JUVENILE COURT
200 WEST COMPTON BLVD.
COMPTON, CA 90220
(310) 603-7816
SYLMAR JUVENILE COURT
16350 FILBERT STREET
SYLMAR, CA 91342
(818) 364- 2108
ALFRED J. McCOURTNEY JUVENILE COURT
1040 WEST AVENUE J
LANCASTER, CA 93536
(661) 949-6501
