When can my child be tried as an adult?

Your child must be at least 16 years old and have committed a very serious offense as defined in the California Penal Code to be charged as an adult. The District Attorney considers the degree of criminal sophistication, the youth’s potential for rehabilitation, previous criminal history, whether the youth responded to previous attempts at rehabilitation, and the circumstances and gravity of the present offense.

Some offenses that would be considered as serious offenses include the following or attempting the following; murder, arson, robbery, sex offenses involving force or fear, kidnapping, torture, mayhem, carjacking, voluntary manslaughter, escape by means of force or violence, or crimes that involve the use of a weapon or result in great bodily injury.

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1. Back to Juvenile Probation Page
2. My child was arrested. What happens now?
3. Should I retain an attorney?
4. How do I get a copy of the police report?
5. When will my child be released from Juvenile Hall?
6. What are my financial responsibilities?
7. What do I need to bring to my child’s first Court appearance?
8. What can I expect to happen in Court?
9. My child is out of control. Can I bring them to Juvenile Hall?
10. When can my child be tried as an adult?
11. My child was declared a Ward of the Court as the result of a sustained criminal charge and placed on probation. What can I now expect?
12. How do I find out who my child’s Deputy Probation Officer is and how to get a hold of them?
13. How long will my child be on probation?
14. Back to Juvenile Probation Page