A Juvenile Charged With Vandalism May Face Hefty Punishments
A Juvenile Charged With Vandalism May Face Hefty Punishments The charge of vandalism is one of the most common crimes charged against juveniles in California. Vandalism can be anything from graffiti to slashing another’s tires or keying a car. Although the property damage may be minor, the consequences to a juvenile convicted of vandalism, may be immense. Under California Penal Code Section 594, a person may be guilty of vandalism…
Read MoreStrip-Search Of Student In California Held Unconstitutional
Strip-Search Of Student In California Held Unconstitutional The U.S Supreme Court held that a middle school went to far when it conducted a “strip-search” of a student that was suspected of possessing prescription pain pills. In this case, a middle school student (S) reported to the principal that another student provided him with a pill and that he got sick after he took it. On the day in question, the…
Read MoreCRIMINALLY PUNISHING BULLIES: THE PUBLIC OVERREACTION TO SCHOOL BULLYING
CRIMINALLY PUNISHING BULLIES: THE PUBLIC OVERREACTION TO SCHOOL BULLYING Recent news stories have incited an outcry against bullying and its destructive consequences. The events of Colombine High School illustrated the intense psychological damage to the victims of bullying and the tragedy that can ensue when victims react. In the Internet age, the term cyber-bullying has been coined to describe the new ways bullies taunt, harass, and threaten victims through texting,…
Read MoreCalifornia Appeals Court Holds That A School Security Officer Is Not A “Public Officer” In Juvenile Criminal Case
California Appeals Court Holds That A School Security Officer Is Not A “Public Officer” In Juvenile Criminal Case A campus security officer at a California high school received a report of vandalism and pursued a group of students he suspected were involved in the vandalism. While pursing the group of students the security officer yelled for a particular student, M, to stop. The security guard yelled to M by name…
Read MoreJuveniles Under the Age of 19 Cannot be Placed in an Adult Jail
Juveniles Under the Age of 19 Cannot be Placed in an Adult Jail A recent California Court of Appeals case (People v. Ramon M.) held that a juvenile who has been declared a ward of the court is to be confined in juvenile jail facilities until he or she reaches the age of 19. Ramon M. was in and out of custody from the time he was 14 years old.…
Read MoreSealing of Juvenile Records: Welfare and Institutions Code, Sections 389 and 781
Sealing of Juvenile Records: Welfare and Institutions Code, Sections 389 and 781 If your child has been adjudicated a ward of the court and is on probation, or has been ordered to court on a criminal case, it is important to keep your child’s record as clean as possible. Many opportunities can be lost if you do not take affirmative steps in clearing the record. Your child could be denied…
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