What to Expect in a Juvenile Court Hearing

What to Expect in a Juvenile Court Hearing

Law Office of Katie Walsh

August 28, 2023

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The California juvenile justice system differs from the proceedings in an adult court in Orange County. For example, most juvenile court hearings are closed to the public. Juvenile court proceedings are generally confidential, and the disclosure of juvenile court records is limited.

Our trusted and experienced Orange County juvenile defense attorney, Katie Walsh, will discuss the different types of juvenile court hearings so you can know what to expect during the process.

The Detention Hearing for Juveniles

The initial hearing in a custody case involving a juvenile is called the detention hearing. The probation offer will set the hearing and notify the guardian or parents of the hearing. The minor will be informed of the charges against him or her. There is no bail in juvenile cases. Instead, the court will weigh multiple factors to decide whether the minor should remain detained or be released to his or her parent or guardian.

The Readiness Hearing

At the readiness hearing, the minor can decide to accept an offer from the District Attorney and admit all or some of the charges in the petition.

The Settlement Conference

The minor will proceed to the Settlement Conference when a case isn’t resolved at the readiness hearing. The judge can discuss the case at this conference with the prosecutor and the minor’s attorney. They will discuss what placement or program will be beneficial to the minor while still protecting the community. Whether the minor admits or doesn’t admit the charges in the petition, the case will proceed to a Jurisdictional Hearing.

Jurisdictional Hearing

When a minor doesn’t admit the allegations in the petition, the case will be set for trial. Juvenile court trials are called Jurisdictional Hearings or Adjudications. A judge, not a jury, decides the case. The judge will hear all of the evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office and the defense and then decide whether the minor is guilty or not of the charges presented in the petition.

Dispositional Hearing

If the court finds the petition against the minor to be true or the minor admits the petition, the court will hold a Dispositional Hearing, also known as a sentencing hearing. The judge will declare the minor a ward of the court and place the minor in custody or a rehabilitation program.

Fitness Hearing

The District Attorney’s Office can request a hearing to decide whether the minor is fit to be dealt with in the juvenile court system or tried as an adult. The judge may decide to try the minor as an adult if he or she is 16 years or older and has been charged with committing specific criminal offenses.

Has Your Child Been Charged with a Crime in Orange County? We Can Help

Has your child been charged with a crime in Orange County? If so, you are probably concerned about your child’s freedom and future. Working with an experienced California criminal defense attorney can help you protect your child and navigate the juvenile justice system.

Contact the Law Office of Katie Walsh to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.

Client Reviews

I hired attorney Katie Walsh to help my son when he was found with a large amount of drugs on school campus. She got us through the Expulsion Hearing, and miraculously he can go back to school at the winter semester...

AR- parent of minor client

I hired Katie Walsh to have my felony convictions expunged. She was able to expunge my record within 6 weeks of me giving her all the information. Even though technically I had a probation violation, and therefore the...

AR, criminal client

My 16 year old son was charged with possession of Marijuana, HS 11357(b). I was very concerned about what would happen to him and how this would affect his future. I contacted Ms. Walsh and she assured me that everything...

CT, parent of juvenile client

My child was charged with Felony Penal Code 597(a)- Animal Cruelty. After hiring Katie Walsh, she got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, counseling, and 40 hours of chores at home. We come back in 6 months and the...

DH - Parent of Juvenile client

I hired Katie Walsh to represent my son on sexual abuse allegations- P.C. 288(a) and P.C. 288(b)- they were Strike Charges. After negotiating with the D.A., she got all the strike charges dismissed, and got my son...

DR- mother of juvenile client

Katie Walsh was fantastic throughout this entire process! My 13 year old son was charged with two counts of lewd act on a minor, PC 288(a) and was in juvenile hall. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she GOT MY SON OUT OF JAIL and...

EG, parent of juvenile client

My 14 year old son was arrested at school for P.C. 311 (child pornography). My son had innocent and stupid nude pictures of himself and friends on his phone. Ms. Walsh was extremely easy to talk to, and made my son feel...

GK,TK, parents of juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was a life saver when I didn't know what was going on, or how to handle the situation. My young daughter was attacked at her middle school and was seriously injured. At a time when both the school and the...

HA, mother of 13 year old Victim Rights client

I hired Katie Walsh to seal my juvenile record of PC 288(a) (lewd act on a minor), after my request had been denied by a Judge and by the Probation Department. After speaking with Probation, the DA and the Judge at a...

JW, former juvenile client

I was charged with a Felony Conspiracy charge- PC 182. After hiring Ms. Walsh she got my charged reduced to a misdemeanor right away, and now I just have to do community service and in 6 months my entire case will be...

KP, juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was like a breath of fresh air throughout this entire process. I was uncertain about the outcome, but she told me everything would be ok- and it was. She had my juvenile record sealed within 3 months of...

LR, former juvenile client

Ms. Walsh got the judge to terminate my son's probation and seal his 2 juvenile cases (Penal Code 288(a) and Penal Code 242) even though he had violated my probation by picking up a new case. By getting his record sealed...

MB- mother of juvenile client

At a very difficult time in my life I contacted attorney Katie Walsh. I am a teacher and was being harassed/stalked by a parent at my school. I wanted a Restraining Order against this person. Ms. Walsh listened to me...

MB, restraining order client

My son was charged with Lewd Conduct, P.C. 647 out of Downey, CA. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she spoke with the District Attorney, Probation, and the Judge. Even though the judge was not pleased with the offer, she was able...

MG, parent of minor

It is with sincere gratitude that I send this recommendation As a parent of a child that was arrested on a Felony Domestic Abuse charge and over 2000 miles away I had to rely on friend of a friends word that you would...

MPF, mother of criminal client

I really liked having Ms. Walsh as my attorney. She visited me in Juvenile Hall. I was charged with four counts of Robbery (Penal Code 211). This was my 8th juvenile petition. Ms. Walsh got 2 of the robbery charges...

MU, juvenile client

I was arrested for a felony Domestic charge, PC 273.5(a). After I hired Katie Walsh, my entire case was dismissed. I never had to appear in court. I felt very comfortable with Ms. Walsh- she was easy to speak with...

NF, criminal client

Katie was instrumental in helping me with a criminal matter as an advocate for me and my children when I was a named victim in a DV case. She patiently and expediently addressed all of my questions and was an invaluable...

My daughter was pulled over arrested for having a Fake ID. After hiring Ms. Walsh my daughter did not have to plead guilty- which would have affected her license status. She did community service, completed a legal...

My 14 year old daughter was involved in an assault and battery- PC 240/242, in Irvine. After hiring Katie Walsh the case was not referred to Court. My daughter was able to complete a class and the case will be dismissed...

SG, mother a juvenile client

My son was charged with possession of Child Pornography P.C. 311.11(a) - a charge I did not realize a child could be guilty of! As parents were beside ourselves when we found this out, and contacted Katie Walsh. She...

SH- mother of juvenile client

From San Diego I contacted Ms. Walsh about sealing my juvenile record in Orange County regarding a Petty Theft charge. She was always very responsive to any of my questions, and consistently kept me updated. Even though...

XL, juvenile client

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