Juvenile Crimes - Disposition Hearing
The judge of the juvenile court has discretion at the child's disposition hearing to select probation or other forms of confinement in order to hold the minor accountable and to protect the public however a judge may not increase punishment because a juvenile does not confess to the alleged offense and demands a contested hearing. And a judge may not refuse to consider supervised probation without a declaration of wardship because the minor child has rejected this as a settlement earlier in the juvenile proceeding and exercised his or her right to adjudication.
Contact Christine McGuire, Santa Cruz Criminal Defense Attorney, Santa Cruz Criminal Defense Lawyer, Former Prosecutor over 25 years.