We are John Hill & Associates. If you are a juvenile (under the age of eighteen) or are the parent or grandparent of a juvenile arrested for any felony or misdemeanor, we can help you.

We have had a great deal of success in defending juveniles in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego Counties.

If you have been arrested for a juvenile offense, please call us today for a free 45 minute consultation. (310) 782-2500.

Facts About Juvenile Crimes

California’s Juvenile Court System is a separate court system designed to process cases concerning juvenile defendants. It is a system with judges who hear only cases involving juveniles. Juveniles may be arrested either for “status offenses” such as truancy that depends upon one’s age or "delinquency" which involves a juvenile committing a crime. If a juvenile over the age of 14 commits a serious offense, the court will conduct a "fitness hearing" to determine if the juvenile should be tried as an adult in the normal (adult) criminal court system. A juvenile charged in the Juvenile Court system needs to know the five stages of a juvenile case. First, a petition will be filed by the District Attorney. Second, the case will be referred to intake. Third, if the case involves a serious crime, there will be a fitness hearing. Fourth, there will an adjudication of the charges. Lastly is disposition. Potential penalties, even for juvenile crimes, can be severe. A juvenile under the age of 16 can be incarcerated until the age of 21. A juvenile over age 16, can be incarcerated until age 25. Juvenile defendants enjoy the right to a lawyer, but are often surprised to learn they have no right to bail or any right to a jury trial. Juveniles who are found guilty of or plead to crimes that qualify as Strikes may find themselves later facing a Three Strikes case and a sentence of life in prison. It is important to obtain an experienced criminal defense attorney promptly to ensure the best results under the facts of the child's case.

	John Hill & Associates Can Help You By:
1	Updating you at all times of your case status, especially of changes and what to expect.
2	Negotiating the release of children to their parents immediately after the arrest to avoid having the court send the child to juvenile hall.
3	Interviewing police and witnesses, often with the use of a private investigator to locate and interview difficult witnesses.
4	Gathering evidence which supports the juvenile’s legal defenses.
5	Filing motions with the juvenile court. Such motions may be to exclude illegally seized evidence from admission and motions to exclude coerced or improper testimony.
6	Arguing against the transfer of the juvenile's case to the adult criminal court system.
7	Evaluating all appropriate and practical legal defenses for the juvenile’s defense at the adjudication hearing (the trial). Such defenses often include lack of sufficient evidence, lack of a criminal intent, innocence and other defenses.
8	Seeking the reduction of charges.
9	Representing the juvenile in a plea bargain or during the adjudication hearing (trial). Our office will also defend the juvenile in adult criminal court if the court transfers the case from the juvenile court.
10	Arguing the best defenses for the juvenile’s case.
11	Lobbying for alternative sentencing over locked confinement, or for the shortest available confinement sentence. Alternative sentences, although not available in all cases, include probation, community service, restitution, halfway house placement or foster care, or attendance at a training school.

	More Benefits To Selecting John Hill & Associates:
12	Available every day, every hour. 24-hour in-person answering.
13	Over 60 years experience, hundreds of juvenile cases handled, a track record of success, over 100 criminal trials, tough negotiators and savvy enough to use their familiarity with local judges and district attorneys to your advantage.
14	Top quality services at reasonable rates.
15	Free 45 minute consultation.
16	All major credit cards accepted.
17	Immediate, courteous response.
18	Office near Torrance Courthouse with free parking.

The most important first step in defending charges of a juvenile crime is hiring a skilled and experienced lawyer knowledgeable in juvenile law.

The accused juvenile’s freedom, future and record must be defended. John Hill & Associates understands this. Our firm is one of Southern California’s most experienced and successful criminal defense law firms.

IF YOUR SON, DAUGHTER OR OTHER RELATIVE FACES CHARGES OF A JUVENILE CRIME, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A FREE 45 MINUTE CONSULTATION TOWARDS PREPARING A SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE. (310) 782-2500.