Nothing obstructs the future of a young child more than a criminal record. When a child makes a mistake and incurs allegations of assault, weapons possession, drug use, sexual misconduct, or vandalism, a conviction can prove to be a lingering hindrance that may significantly deprive the child in later life of certain opportunities and privileges. In short, a child’s single lapse in judgment can have a lasting negative effect on his or her life.
At Wallin & Klarich, our view is aligned with that of the juvenile court system in believing that kids who “act out” should be rehabilitated rather than incarcerated. Therefore, we aggressively seek to obtain for our young clients informal disposition that removes their case from the damaging effects of a formal criminal conviction.
The California Welfare and Institutions Code section 654 provides for an informal resolution of a delinquency case that does not result in a criminal record. Our experienced Los Angeles juvenile defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can be instrumental in helping parents gain control of the situation to ensure that their child’s future remains intact.
When a child commits a crime, a probation officer may file a petition to declare that the child be deemed a ward of the court under section 601 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. This essentially means that a minor who commits a crime can be taken away from their parents’ custody. To avoid the wrenching heartache of this result, section 654 allows up to six months in which the parents and their child must adequately demonstrate a good-faith effort toward rehabilitation. This can be done by showing that the minor has undertaken some form of treatment or that the parents have exercised their parental prerogative by administering their own punishment.
With over 30 years of experience in defending juvenile delinquency cases, Wallin & Klarich has cultivated a strong sensibility in handling cases of this kind. For more information regarding how the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can assist you with your case, please call 888-749-0034 or visit www.wklaw.com today.
