Children are facing increasingly complex and difficult types of pressure. As a result, some children are willing and able to commit crimes. If you or your child are facing juvenile legal action, reach out to a Moreno Valley juvenile lawyer today.

What Are the New Juvenile Laws in California in 2024?

No new laws have been introduced regarding juveniles in California in 2024, but a California court recently ruled that those sentenced to life without parole for murder as young people cannot seek parole.

In addition, a bill passed in the fall of 2023, California Senate Bill 545, concerns juveniles charged with a felony. If any evidence is found that the minor committed the crime against someone who sexually battered, abused, or trafficked them, the case will need to stay in juvenile court. If the case has already been transferred to a court of criminal jurisdiction, it will need to be returned to a juvenile court when such evidence is found.

The Juvenile Court Process

Juvenile cases are handled with the utmost care, with some arresting officers opting not to process them. Here is a description of the juvenile court process the child will be sent through:

  • Arrest: Upon arresting a child, what happens next is largely up to the arresting officer. Upon arrest, the officer can:
    • Make a note of the arrest in their records and bring the child back home.
    • Take the child to an agency that will counsel the child on their behavior and care for them if their parents are unable to do so.
    • Bring the child back to the police station.
    • Provide you and your child with a “Notice to Appear.”
    • Take your child to juvenile hall, where they will be allowed to make two phone calls: one to their parents and one to their lawyer.
  • Notice to Appear: If you receive a notice to appear on behalf of your child’s criminal actions, it will likely tell you to go to the probation office to speak to a probation officer about your child’s immediate future. One of four things will happen upon speaking to the probation officer:
    • The probation officer will provide your child with a sound lecture and send them home to think about what they have done.
    • The probation officer will let your child enter into a voluntary program in lieu of going to court. This could be special counseling, community service organizations, or classes. Upon completion of this work, your child will not have to go to court.
    • The probation officer will send you and your child on your way and then file the case with the district attorney. The district attorney will determine next steps and whether or not to pursue charges against your child.
    • The probation officer will lock your child back into juvenile hall and then file the case with the district attorney. The district attorney will then likely file a petition, which would bring official charges against your child.
  • Juvenile Detention: If your child is remanded to juvenile hall, they are essentially in detention. They will likely be released if the crime is nonviolent, as juvenile halls tend to be overcrowded due to many violent offenders. If the child stays in juvenile hall and is subsequently tried and convicted of their crime, one of several things may happen next:
    • The child may be put on probation.
    • The child may be placed in a group home.
    • The child may enter the foster system.
    • The child may be declared a ward of the state.
    • The child may be incarcerated in a juvenile work camp.

FAQs

Q: What New Laws Were Passed in California in 2024?

A: Several new laws were passed in California in 2024. The minimum wage of health care workers was raised to $23 per hour, which will start in June. Workers’ sick time benefits were slightly increased. The California Supreme Court ruled that violent criminals who were convicted of murder when they were 18 years old cannot seek parole.

Q: What Are the New Laws for Inmates in California in 2024?

A: Some of the new laws specific to inmates in California are as follows:

  • The sentencing for people convicted of trafficking minors for the purposes of prostitution has been increased.
  • Anybody released from prison will have new relocation options based on educational, housing, and treatment opportunities. Anybody who is currently out on parole will also be afforded these opportunities.
  • California has also increased the penalties for those found guilty of trafficking fentanyl. An additional three years will be added to the guilty party’s sentence.

Q: What Is the Maximum Age for Juvenile Detention in California?

A: The maximum age for juvenile detention in California is 25 years old. The Welfare and Instructions Code indicates that anyone whose original case began in juvenile court can stay in a juvenile detention facility until they are 25. After that, they are presumably transferred to an adult corrections facility for the remainder of their sentence. Juvenile court jurisdiction ends when the child in question turns 21.

Q: At What Age Can Juveniles Be Tried as Adults in California?

A: Depending on specific circumstances, a juvenile can be tried as an adult if they are older than 16. This can happen in cases that are especially heinous, such as murder or aggravated assault. When the prosecuting attorney files a motion for a fitness hearing, the hearing is meant to determine if you are fit for juvenile court or not. If the court decides you are not fit, you will be tried as an adult.

My SoCal Lawyers Can Help You

Dealing with a juvenile legal situation can be enormously stressful for both the juvenile in question and their family. At My SoCal Lawyers, our legal team is prepared to provide you with the help you need to see this vulnerable situation through.

You need an experienced juvenile lawyer to guide you through the process and ensure this goes as smoothly as possible. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to craft a strong defense. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.