Burbank Juvenile Crime

When a minor is charged with a juvenile criminal offense in Burbank, the experience can be absolutely devastating for the whole family. A juvenile adjudication can trigger a long list of unintended consequences, including loss of driving privileges, loss and/or inability to find jobs, loss or denial of financial aid packages and even eviction from public housing for the minor’s family. Burbank juvenile offenses are heard at the Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse located at 16350 Filbert Street, Sylmar, CA 91342. The juvenile court has jurisdiction over minors between the ages of 10 and 17.

Frequently charged juvenile offenses in Burbank include the following crimes:

1. Burbank Driving under the influence (DUI) - California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) VC and California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b) VC
2. Burbank Drunk in Public - California Penal Code Section 647(f) PC
3. Drug Possession in Burbank - California Health and Safety Code Section 11350(a) H&S
4. Burbank Robbery - California Penal Code Section 211 PC
5. Burbank Burglary - California Penal Code Section 459 PC
6. Petty Theft/Shoplifting in Burbank - California Penal Code Section 484 PC
7. Burbank Assault - California Penal Code Section 240 PC
8. Burbank Battery - California Penal Code Section 242 PC
9. Vandalism in Burbank - California Penal Code Section 594 PC
10. Sexual Battery in Burbank - California Penal Code Section 243.4 PC
11. Possession of Alcohol by a Minor in Burbank - California Business and Professions Code 25662 B&P
12. Any other felony or misdemeanor

There are a variety of penalties that can be imposed by a judge for Burbank juvenile crimes. A judge can sentence a minor to probation with stringent conditions, including frequent drug testing and curfews, can send a minor to a probation camp, can send the minor to juvenile hall and can even sentence a minor to prison, if the minor has been charged as an adult.

In order to charge a minor offender as an adult, the underlying offense must be a felony. District Attorneys usually will only pursue adult charges against juveniles when the charged crime is a serious felony and usually if the minor has a lengthy juvenile record. If a minor is tried and convicted as an adult, that minor would be sentenced to serve any prison term at a facility operated by the California Youth Authority (“CYA”) and will stay there until reaching the age of 18. At that point, they would have to serve any additional time left on the sentence in an adult prison.

Filing adult charges against a juvenile is not a decision made lightly, and any prosecutor contemplating charges would take the following factors into consideration:

1. The severity of the underlying offense, the minor’s role in its commission, and whether or not the crime was successfully carried out.
2. Whether or not the minor’s action demonstrated a high level of criminal sophistication.
3. The likelihood of rehabilitation.
4. The minor’s past crimes.

Juveniles do have rights under the law just like adults, and having an experienced Burbank juvenile attorney representing your son or daughter is critical when dealing with any juvenile prosecution. It is often the case that the minor simply made an uncharacteristic lapse in judgment or else was part a large group of juveniles and it was another minor who actually committed the criminal act. If retained early enough in the process, an experienced and respected Burbank criminal defense lawyer can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to prevent a case from being filed.

Juvenile prosecutions are unique in that the relevant law enforcement agency, juvenile intake officer, prosecutor or juvenile judge can seek to have the case dismissed at any stage of the proceedings. Because prosecutors and judges prefer rehabilitation, they may be open to exploring alternatives to prosecution and sentencing when dealing with a juvenile offender, especially if the minor has no prior record.

If a loved one is dealing with a juvenile offense in the Burbank area, it is very important that the entire family speak with an established and experienced Burbank Criminal Defense Lawyer immediately. Burbank Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Kraut is a former Deputy District Attorney with over 14 years of prosecutorial experience who was previously assigned to prosecute juvenile offenders. As a result of his prior experience, Mr. Kraut appreciates the subtleties of juvenile prosecutions and knows how to best fight charges in juvenile court.

For more information about Burbank juvenile offenses, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Burbank Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kraut at the Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers, Inc. located at 2600 West Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91505. Mr. Kraut can be reached 24/7 at (323) 464-6453 or (818) 683-2811.