How Juvenile Court Works in California
Juvenile delinquency cases in California are governed by the Welfare and Institutions Code, not the Penal Code. That distinction shapes everything: the process centers on rehabilitation rather than punishment, hearings are private, and the terminology differs from adult court. But juvenile court is still adversarial. Prosecutors work to prove allegations, and the outcomes can have lasting effects on a young person’s life.
The Stages of a Juvenile Case
The process typically moves through several key stages. It begins with a detention hearing, where a judge decides whether your child can return home or must remain in custody while the case continues. Next is the adjudication hearing, which functions like a trial: a judge reviews the evidence and decides whether the allegations are factual. If they are, the case moves to a disposition hearing, where the judge orders a plan for supervision, treatment, and support.
My Role at Every Hearing
I’m present at every stage of your child’s case. I challenge the prosecution’s evidence, present a complete picture of your child to the court, and advocate for outcomes that can protect their future. I’ve approached every case this way since my first day as a public defender, and that hasn’t changed.
Law Office of Christopher Loethen fights for young people with the understanding that every case is about more than charges. It’s about a life that deserves a chance to move forward.
Protecting Your Child from Adult Court & Permanent Consequences
One of the most serious risks in any juvenile case is the fitness hearing, where a judge determines whether your child is fit for the juvenile system or whether the case will be transferred to adult criminal court. That transfer changes everything. Your child can face adult penalties, including state prison and a permanent criminal record. Preventing that outcome is a top priority in every case I take. I prepare thoroughly and argue clearly to show why your child belongs in the juvenile system, where the focus is on support and rehabilitation.
Diversion, Dismissal, & Record Sealing
Beyond avoiding adult court, I work toward outcomes that can protect your child’s long-term future. That often means pursuing diversion programs or informal resolutions that can lead to dismissal without a formal record. When a case is resolved, I guide families through the record sealing process. Under California AB 1118, effective January 1, 2026, Welfare and Institutions Code Section 786 was amended to provide automatic sealing of juvenile records upon satisfactory completion of probation for most offenses, eliminating the prior petition requirement for eligible cases. A separate pathway under WIC 786.5 provides sealing for individuals whose records weren’t previously sealed. For serious offenses listed under WIC 707(b), automatic sealing doesn’t apply in the same way; those cases require a different process, often under WIC 781. Once sealed, the law generally treats the arrest and proceedings as though they never occurred, which can allow a person to answer no to certain inquiries about a criminal record.
Key Terms in the Juvenile Process
The juvenile system uses terminology that differs from adult court. Understanding these terms helps families know what to expect at each stage.
- Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 602 petition. The formal document filed by the prosecutor listing the criminal allegations against a minor. It functions like a complaint in adult court.
- Adjudication. The hearing where a judge, not a jury, hears evidence and decides whether the allegations in the petition are factual.
- Disposition. The rehabilitation plan ordered by the court after a factual finding. It can range from probation at home to placement in a facility.
- Fitness hearing. The proceeding that determines whether a minor is fit for the juvenile system or whether the case will be transferred to adult criminal court, typically in serious charge situations.
Juvenile Charges I Handle in Merced County
Families come to me facing a wide range of charges in Merced County juvenile court. Some cases involve first-time mistakes; others involve serious allegations that carry real transfer risk. I handle all of them with the same level of preparation.
Common juvenile charges I defend against include:
The severity of consequences varies by charge type and your child’s history. Some offenses qualify for diversion; others carry genuine transfer risk. Contacting a juvenile defense attorney in Merced as early as possible can give your family more options and give me more time to build a defense before evidence and witness recollections fade. With nearly two decades and ten thousand cases behind me, I know how to move quickly and effectively when a family needs help.
A Direct, Compassionate Defense Built Around Your Child
When I take on a juvenile case, I see more than a charge or a file. I see a young person with a future worth protecting. I take the time to understand your child’s background, circumstances, and potential so I can present a complete, humanizing picture to the court and advocate for a constructive path forward.
I speak clearly with both parents and minors so everyone understands their rights and what to expect at each stage. I prepare every juvenile matter with the same care and intensity I bring to the most serious adult felonies. I started as a public defender and have never crossed to the prosecution side. That unbroken commitment to the accused means you’re working with a juvenile criminal attorney in Merced who has spent nearly two decades standing where I stand: with the accused, and nowhere else.
Your child’s future is worth fighting for. Call me at (209) 546-6192 or contact me online to schedule a complimentary consultation.
