What Happens When a Juvenile is Charged With a Crime?
When a juvenile is charged with a crime there is a juvenile delinquency court hearing. This court is specifically for felonies and misdemeanors committed by minors.
Juvenile delinquency court is often referred to as 602 proceedings. There are prosecutors and defense attorneys but there are no juries.
Instead of finding a juvenile innocent or guilty, if the judge determines that the juvenile committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, then he/she will “sustain the petition” filed by the district attorney.
Wards of the Court
Sometimes a judge makes a minor a “ward of the court,” meaning that the court has primary responsibility for control and treatment of the minor. If a minor is a ward of the court, they can still serve probation at their home.
In some cases, the minor will be put into foster care, a group home, or in a county probation camp.
Testimonials
“My husband and I have really had our ups and downs these past four years and it was helpful to watch your poignant YouTube video a few months ago where you described a story about never wanting to leave your clients behind. We appreciate that, believe me, as this whole journey has been unbelievably hard. Thank you for your continued support as we approach what will hopefully be the final chapter of my husband’s journey. I am hoping for the best of all outcomes.”
“After the first meeting with Mark, I knew we were in the right place. Mark was able to get answers and call all the right people to protect my child. We would never deal with the criminal justice system again with out Mark Broughton at our side. We are very thankful we found him and the matter with our son went away quickly.”
“Mr. Broughton is top notch. My son was facing a felony, strike charge. Mr. Broughton fought for my son’s pre-trial release against the recommendation of the probation department, and my son was able to come home. Today, the case was resolved and the outcome was minor in comparison to the charge. I highly recommend Mark Broughton!”
“He is an amazing lawyer, I had a near impossible felony case and he helped me bring it down to a misdemeanor. Amazing personality and a kind human being!”
“I highly recommend Mark Broughton. His expertise, professionalism, and empathy in our complex case gave us the feeling of confidence. I cannot begin to show or say how much we are grateful to you. Mark Broughton, you are truly an Angel in disguise. Again Thank You!”
“I was charged with 2 felonies and was at risk of jail time, losing my job and my children, basically my entire life. Mark worked closely with me and… I was able to plead no contest to 1 misdemeanor.”
“I am forever grateful for what Mark has done for my me and my family.”
“Thank you Mark… for the excellent work you all did on my son’s cases and the on-going support you all showed my family and myself through this very difficult time in our lives.”
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Have Questions? Don’t go it alone. Let’s sit down one-on-one. I will review your case and your options for the best possible outcome.
What Happens if a Juvenile is Convicted?
It depends on the crime committed but a minor could face the following:
- A fine or restitution
- Community service
- Required to attend a victim impact class
- Placement into a foster home
- Probation or parole
- Commitment to a juvenile hall, ranch, or camp
- Commitment to the Division of Juvenile Justice (aka CYA – California Youth Authority)
The purpose of the juvenile system is to enable rehabilitation.
Juveniles Tried as Adults
There are certain crimes where minors will get tried as adults. These include:
- Murder where the minor personally killed the victim
- Arson that caused great bodily injury or of an inhabited structure
- Rape by force, violence, or threat of great bodily harm
- Spousal rape by force, violence, or threat of great bodily harm
- Forcible sex in collaboration with another person
- Lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age by force, violence, or threat of great bodily injury
- Forcible sexual penetration
- Sodomy or oral copulation by force, violence, or threat of great bodily injury
Legal Defenses for Juvenile Crimes
The legal defenses for juvenile crimes focus on rehabilitation. If the defense attorney can prove that a minor can be rehabilitated, they will face lower penalties, such as probation or community service.
Has your child or another minor member of your family been legally accused of committing a juvenile crime? If a minor member of your family has been arrested or charged with a crime, it is essential to obtain legal council for help. It’s important to take juvenile charges seriously. Don’t just hope for the best. Hire an attorney who understands the situation and the consequences your family member faces.
Your Defense Attorney for Juvenile Charges
I’m Mark A. Broughton and I’m here to fight for you. I have been a defense Attorney for 40+ years and have represented thousands of people accused of crimes. I have extensive experience representing citizens charged with Felonies, Federal Crimes, Federal White Collar Crimes, Violent Crimes, Gang Crimes, and Sex Crimes to name a few.
Your Defense Attorney for Juvenile Charges
I’m Mark A. Broughton and I’m here to fight for you. I have been a defense Attorney for 40+ years and have represented thousands of people accused of crimes. I have extensive experience representing citizens charged with Felonies, Federal Crimes, Federal White Collar Crimes, Violent Crimes, Gang Crimes, and Sex Crimes to name a few.
Legal Experience
I began my legal career in San Diego where I practiced criminal law, civil litigation, and personal injury. After a very successful practice there for 17 years, my family and I moved to Fresno, California, in 1995. Since that time, I have practiced exclusively criminal law. I was the Chief Defense Attorney for a 17 attorney criminal defense law firm that handled 3-4,000 felony cases a year. I left that firm to associate and partner with a very successful criminal law practitioner where I am continuing my commitment help protect the Constitutional rights of my clients.
I estimate that I have conducted over 200 jury trials – everything from DUIs, drug cases, sex cases, domestic violence, assaults, “three-strikes,” dozens of cases involving criminal street gangs, gun/deadly weapons, drive-by shootings, robberies, attempted murders, and murders, including special circumstance murder cases.
Results
I have received many outright Not Guilty verdicts for my clients in all of these types of cases, including several murder cases – at one time between 2005-2007, the jury found my clients Not Guilty in four separate cases in a row. I have handled all kinds of criminal and related criminal proceedings, from violation of probation and parole hearings, DMV hearings, writs & appeals, and many other types of proceedings in the criminal process.
I have practiced all over California, in both state and Federal Court. I am qualified as a death penalty lawyer and am on the special circumstances/death penalty panel of attorneys in Fresno, California, where I am regularly appointed to special circumstances/death penalty murder cases by the Fresno County Superior Court. One of my greatest pleasures over my long career has been to teach and train young lawyers and law students. Most of them have gone on to be successful lawyers in their own right, and have triumphantly represented their own clients in an honest and professional way.
Community Involvement & Family
I have been involved in many community organizations, taught classes at the local law school, been a Mock Trial Attorney Judge and team coach, served as Judge Pro-Tempore for the Fresno County Superior Court, given many seminars to other attorneys, and started an organization for criminal defense lawyers to share useful information among themselves. Above all, I enjoy helping reunite my clients and their families during and after dealing with perhaps the most difficult time in their lives, going through the challenging criminal process with them. This is particularly true where alcohol or substance abuse issues have ripped formerly close and loving families apart.
I have saved the many letters of appreciation from clients and their families to whom I have been fortunate enough to have been of service. It is most gratifying for me to see them get back together, overcome their difficulties and live happy and fulfilled lives. Helping people is, after all, what being a good lawyer is all about. I like going to football and baseball games, fishing, surfing, and going to Hawaii where I can get caught up on my reading list and swim in the warm waters of the Pacific. I love sharing the lives of my two children, two grandchildren and spending time with Andrea, my wife of over 30 years.
About Mark Broughton:
Compassionate, highly experienced, exceptional reputation, ethical and honest:
Mark Broughton has been practicing law for over 40 years. He estimates that he has conducted over 200 jury trials – everything from DUIs, drug cases, sex cases, domestic violence, assaults, “three-strikes,” dozens of cases involving criminal street gangs, gun/deadly weapons, drive-by shootings, robberies, attempted murders, and murders, including special circumstance murder cases.
He has received many outright Not Guilty verdicts for his clients in all of these types of cases, including several murder cases – at one time between 2005-2007, the jury found his clients Not Guilty in four separate cases in a row.
Mark Broughton is qualified as a death penalty lawyer and is on the special circumstances/death penalty panel of attorneys in Fresno, California, where he is regularly appointed to special circumstances/death penalty murder cases by the Fresno County Superior Court.
Other Qualifications:
- Certified Specialist Criminal Law, State Bar of California
- Board of Trustees, State Bar of California
- Chairman, Fresno County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Mark Broughton enjoys close relationships with his clients. He sees every individual’s situation with compassion and empathy and believes that every person has the right to a fair trial and is innocent until proven guilty.
Above all, he enjoys helping reunite his clients and their families during and after dealing with perhaps the most difficult time in their lives, going through the challenging criminal process with them.
