Compassionate Los Angeles / San Diego Juvenile Defense Attorneys

Protecting Your Child's Legal Rights in the Juvenile Justice System

At HOFFMAN & ASSOCIATES, we help make sure that the legal rights of all minors are protected. We advise juvenile clients and their parents in areas ranging from dependency to criminal cases, including detention hearings, trials, probation violations, deferred prosecution programs, sentencing options. We work extensively with the family to help understand and repair the problem, not just the current criminal charges.

We are also very familiar with many alternatives to prosecution. We evaluate the circumstances of each case, always seeking to obtain our client's freedom.

In California, juvenile courts are very different from adult courts, and they have unique rules and procedures. For example, juveniles are not entitled to a jury trial, but rather are tried before a judge. Depending on the severity of the offense, the juvenile may be placed in juvenile detention, or have their case sent to adult Court.

Juvenile law previously took into account the theory that a child under the age of eighteen inevitably makes mistakes and should not be punished like an adult. However, the law has changed and now young people are being charged and sentenced as adults if they are accused of committing certain crimes. If a juvenile commits a more violent offense such as murder, the prosecutor may seek to have the juvenile tried as an adult.

We utilize all of the options available to negotiate a favorable Juvenile Court disposition or will variously challenge sentence or to challenge the evidence at an a judication. (the term for a juvenile court trial)

Because of the special rules and circumstances surrounding juvenile crimes, it is important to seek representation from an attorney experienced in representing juveniles. We would be happy to explain how we can help solve this family problem successfully.

If your child or someone you know is facing a juvenile problem, contact us.

Our lawyers regularly appear in all Courts throughout the Los Angeles and San Diego area, as well as Courts in the San Fernando Valley including Van Nuys, San Fernando, Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena.