Chico Juvenile Defense Lawyer

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Chico Juvenile Defense Attorney

When a minor is charged and arrested, the incident can affect the entire family. Both the child and the adults involved can suffer from fear and uncertainty. You don’t have to face it alone. A Chico juvenile defense lawyer at Eric Alan Berg & Associates can help you understand your options and fight for your child’s rights.

Why Choose Eric Alan Berg & Associates?

With more than 26 years of experience in criminal defense, Eric Alan Berg & Associates offers knowledgeable and sympathetic representation to young people in Chico and Butte County. Eric Berg, a trained criminal defense attorney, provides a tailored approach that puts an emphasis on both legal strategy and family assistance because he is aware of the particular difficulties that young clients encounter in the court system.

In order to fight for lower charges, diversion programs, and alternatives to jail whenever feasible, our firm makes use of its extensive knowledge of the North Butte County Courthouse professionals and local juvenile procedures. We strive for results that protect the juvenile’s future and prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, working closely with families to keep them informed and involved.

Juvenile Crime in Butte County

Juvenile cases have their own procedures that differ from adult criminal cases. Most times, the focus is on rehabilitation, rather than punishment. This does not mean that the consequences cannot be severe. While many juvenile crimes do not become a part of a person’s adult criminal record, they can still affect your child’s education and employment opportunities. In more severe cases, an offense may lead to being charged as an adult.

The North Butte County Courthouse, located at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico, handles juvenile matters and cases for the area. The Butte County Juvenile Hall, located at 41 County Center Drive in Oroville, provides rehabilitative services for detained youth. Butte County has its fair share of juvenile arrests, including:

In 2020, the county saw a juvenile arrest rate of 5 per 1,000 youth.
From 2010 to 2021, the Butte County Division of Juvenile Justice committed 23 youth. Eight were for attempted robbery, and seven were for robbery/robbery in the 2nd degree with a firearm.

Common Juvenile Offenses in Chico

Juvenile cases often stem from impulsive decisions rather than premeditated and well-thought-out crimes. Common juvenile offenses include:

Property crimes. This is perhaps one of the most common types of juvenile offenses. These include burglary, shoplifting, vandalism, and theft.
Drug charges. Drug charges can range in severity. They are not always as serious as trafficking. A juvenile can be charged with possession if they are caught with a small amount of a controlled substance.
Violent crimes. These can be physical altercations that harm or threaten to harm another person, including assault, battery, or even murder. While more serious crimes, like murder, are not as common among juveniles, fights that escalate can bring criminal charges.
Weapons charges. This includes possessing firearms that they are not legally allowed to possess. In most cases, minors are not permitted to be in possession of firearms.
Sex crimes. This involves performing illegal sexual acts.
Other crimes. Additional crimes, such as breaking curfew and DUI, can bring criminal charges.

The Juvenile Process in Butte County

Navigating the criminal process for juveniles in Butte County can be overwhelming and confusing for both the parent and the youth. This process usually begins with a detention hearing, which generally happens within 72 hours of being taken into custody. Here, the court determines whether or not to hold the child or release them to their parents’ or guardians’ custody until the case is resolved.

The jurisdiction hearing is usually next, and is very similar to a trial. Evidence is reviewed to determine whether or not the allegations are true. If it is determined to be so, the case proceeds to a disposition hearing.

At the disposition hearing, the court may decide the penalties for the crime. Because juvenile cases focus more on rehabilitation than punishment, consequences can include probation, counseling, classes, or community service. If the charges are extreme, the young person may be placed in a juvenile facility.

A Chico criminal defense attorney is beneficial for each stage of this process. They can advocate for alternative sentencing, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and protect your child’s rights.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Juvenile Lawyer Cost?

A: The cost of a juvenile lawyer will depend on the circumstances surrounding the case and the pay structure of the attorney. Typically, less serious offenses will cost less than more serious ones. Some attorneys charge flat rates while some charge by the hour. It’s important to discuss fees and payment plans upfront with your attorney so there are no surprises along the way.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Lawyer and a Defense Attorney?

A: A criminal lawyer refers to any attorney who handles criminal law, including both prosecution and defense. In particular, a defense lawyer defends those who are charged with crimes and seeks to uphold their rights and provide a fair trial. To put it briefly, not all criminal lawyers are defense lawyers, but all defense lawyers are criminal lawyers.

Q: What Is the Youngest Age to Go to Juvenile Court in California?

A: In Chico, California, the youngest age at which a person can go to juvenile court is 12 years old. Those under 12 will typically not be prosecuted in juvenile court. There are exceptions, however, such as in cases where the minor is charged with a particularly violent crime or a sex crime. Those under this age threshold are usually referred to child welfare services, and the matter is held outside the legal system.

Q: What Is the Minimum Age to Get a Lawyer in California?

A: There is no minimum age to get a lawyer. Legally, anyone, including minors, is entitled to have legal representation during legal proceedings. This includes, but is not limited to, juvenile court. In juvenile court cases, if the minor or their family cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one for them. The Chico juvenile defense lawyer will represent the minor specifically and not the parent.

Contact Eric Alan Berg & Associates

If you have a juvenile who has been charged with a crime, help is available. Eric Alan Berg & Associates can fight for your child’s rights and the optimal outcome in their circumstance. Contact us today for more information.

See Related Posts:

On May 4, 2018, Attorneys of Eric Alan Berg and Associates successfully suppressed evidence in a DUI case resulting in a complete dismissal. The client had been pulled over on a Friday night leaving the Market Street Steakhouse. A Redding police officer claimed that his tail light was out and initiated a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to the officer, the car had just passed a safety inspection a few weeks before. The defense subpoenaed the inspection records and called the technician who serviced the car to testify to explain that the light was working properly, and called an eye witness who saw that the light was in working condition the morning after the arrest. The client can now return to work without fear of any license restrictions, probation, or punishment.

DUI Dismissal

A man in his 60’s was charged with molesting and sodomizing five boys in a 35 year period. The sheriffs detective knew at least one of the boys had recanted but he hid the tape recording wherein the boy said it never happened. The district attorney had to search the sheriff’s computer himself to find the tape showing the man’s innocence and showing that the boy said he was innocent.

False accusation of multiple molestation

We represented an old man who was accused of sexually molesting his girl friend’s daughter. The prosecutor claimed that he confessed on tape. The defense showed that it was no confession. Many of the jurors found the defendant not guilty. The defendant eventually avoided state prison and was freed.

False accusation of molestation of girl friends daughter

Our client was a probation officer and was charged with sexually molesting his neighbor and his adopted foster daughter. The defense showed that his daughter had a long history of falsely accusing people of serious crimes. The defense also presented the daughters long history of mental illness. The defense also showed that the police lost a crucial recorded statement of another complaining witness. Many jurors found the accused innocent of the charges and the court dismissed the charges after the first trial.

False accusation of adopted child molestation

Our client was charged with sexually molesting his adopted step-daughter. The district attorney claimed that he had a confession on tape. The defense showed that it was not a confession but a set up. Many jurors found the defendant not guilty and the court dismissed all of the charges. In that case, the accuser originally accused our client of molesting her for many months. The district attorney tried to change the story when we proved that he wasn’t even in town when these crimes supposedly occurred.

False accusation of molestation of step daughter

We defended two Hells Angels accused of rape. At the trial we proved that the accuser exchanged her phone number with one of the other old bikers at the clubhouse, a few minutes after the alleged rape. Through our investigation, we learned that the accuser, a young woman in her early twentys had borrowed her father’s car for the night. She returned it late, making him late for work in the morning. She needed a good excuse. The excuse she used was that she had been raped by two Hells Angels.

False accusation of rape

An old man in his 70’s was charged with threatening 2 sheriff deputies with his Chinese assault rifle . This man was a famous newspaper editor and publisher in the county. He was a regular critic of the Sheriff. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. On Christmas Eve, he and his wife had been burning rat’s nests on his property in Hayfork. As the fire got out of control and spread prisoners from the local fire camp were called to put it out. They were up all night making noise and causing his dog to bark which kept him and his wife and his dog awake on Christmas eve. He went down to the prisoners and told them to be quiet and then went back home.

False accusation of threatening of Sheriff Police.

Recently, a client of ours was facing multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, which is a prison eligible felony. Additionally, the DA in the case was looking to add more prison eligible felonies such as bringing a controlled substance into a jail. Eric Alan Berg & Associates was able to negotiate an agreement with the DA where our client plead to only two misdemeanor charges of possession of a firearm and controlled substance.

Securing Misdemeanor Deal when Client charged with Strikes

Recently we had a client who was arrested for possession of drugs and child abuse. Attorney Eric Berg was able to convince the DA to file only the drug possession charge and not the child abuse charge. Further, if our client continues with their treatment plan the entire case will be dismissed in six months without ever requiring our client to plead guilty or no-contest. If you or someone you know is facing legal troubles give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Facilitating Substance Abuse Treatment and avoiding a Criminal Record

Recently a client retained us who was stopped for a traffic violation while they were transporting a couple of pounds of marijuana, which was discovered by law enforcement during the stop. Our offices were able to get all their charges and case dismissed in court. If you or someone you know has been arrested for similar crimes, give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Marijuana Transportation Case Dismissed

Before retaining us, our client had a number of pending cases, and some matters being investigated by law enforcement. They took a plea bargain in which they plead guilty to three of their pending cases, with the understanding that the rest of their pending cases would be dismissed and any un-filed cases would not be filed. Shortly after entering this agreement, the DA’s office filed charges related to an investigation that began before they entered the agreement. We successfully argued that the DA’s office breached the plea agreement, and had the plea agreement enforced – meaning the new case was dismissed. If you or someone you know is in need of an attorney, give us a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!