Morris Law is an Oakland criminal defense law firm. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review of your juvenile offenses case. Juvenile Offenses in California is governed by California Welfare and Institutions Code §§602 (delinquency), 707 (transfer), 781 (sealing). Our office at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland is in East Oakland, about 2 miles from the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland — where every Oakland case is heard. Seth Morris spent years in those courthouses as a Deputy Public Defender.

What is juvenile offenses under California law?

Oakland Juvenile Crime Lawyer — Morris Law

California juvenile court operates under the Welfare and Institutions Code, not the Penal Code. Minors under 18 accused of a crime face a WIC §602 petition, not an indictment. Cases are decided by a judge — no jury trial right under McKeiver v. Pennsylvania. Since SB 1391 (2019), most juveniles under 16 cannot be transferred to adult court. Since SB 92 (2018), a WIC §707 transfer hearing is required in every case where the prosecution seeks to try a minor 16 or older as an adult.

Penalties for juvenile offenses in California

Penalties vary sharply by specific statute, degree, and prior record. Here are the primary ranges we see in Oakland and Alameda County cases:

  • WIC §602 petition: standard delinquency filing. Outcomes range from informal probation to SYTF commitment
  • Informal probation (WIC §654): six months of supervision with no sustained petition — gold standard first outcome
  • Deferred entry of judgment (WIC §790): plea entered but not formalized; dismissal on success
  • Camp commitment (WIC §730): placement in an Alameda County probation camp (Camp Sweeney)
  • Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SB 823): replaced DJJ for most serious juvenile cases
  • WIC §707 transfer to adult court: adult prosecution with full adult penalties

Collateral consequences — professional licensing, immigration status, firearm rights, and future employment — often exceed the direct sentence.

How Morris Law defends juvenile offenses cases in Oakland

Every case is different, but the defense strategies below produce the most dismissals, reductions, and acquittals:

  • Pre-petition diversion — probation intake, school-based diversion, and restorative-justice programs.
  • WIC §654 informal probation — best possible first-offense outcome.
  • WIC §790 deferred entry of judgment — dismissal and sealing on success.
  • SB 203 (2020) — minors under 18 must consult with counsel before custodial interrogation. Violations = suppression.
  • WIC §707 transfer hearing defense — evidence under five statutory factors (sophistication, delinquency history, rehabilitation prospects, prior attempts, gravity).
  • Sealing under WIC §781 and §786 — most records sealable five years after case closes or at age 18.
  • SB 1391 challenges — under-16 transfer bar for most felonies.

What to do if you are arrested for juvenile offenses in Oakland

Most Oakland arrests are made by the Oakland Police Department (OPD). BART Police handle transit arrests. CHP handles freeway enforcement. Alameda County Sheriff handles unincorporated areas. Take these steps:

  1. Invoke your right to counsel. Under Miranda v. Arizona, you must clearly say you want a lawyer, then stop talking.
  2. Do not consent to a search. Officers need a warrant, probable cause, or your consent. Refuse politely.
  3. Call Morris Law at (510) 824-8831. We answer 24 hours a day.
  4. Preserve evidence. Photograph injuries or damage. Note officers’ names, badge numbers, and witnesses.
  5. Stay off social media and jail phones. Both are recorded and admissible.
  6. Write down your account for your attorney. Record events while fresh.

Why Oakland residents choose Morris Law for juvenile offenses defense

Morris Law was founded by Seth Morris, a former Alameda County Deputy Public Defender. What we bring to every case:

  • Seth Morris was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County. He defended clients at the Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson courthouses regularly.
  • More than 25 jury trials, including life-in-prison exposure cases.
  • Federal recognition on police body cameras and 4th Amendment. President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing contributor.
  • Published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon. Interviewed on MSNBC, NBC Bay Area, KQED, KALW.
  • Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St — East Oakland, about 2 miles from the courthouses.
  • 24/7 phone access at (510) 824-8831.
  • Clear, plain-language updates.

Seth Morris is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the Alameda County Bar Association.

How juvenile offenses cases move through Alameda County

Stage Where Timing
Arrest Oakland — often by OPD Day 0
Booking Glenn E. Dyer or Santa Rita Jail Day 0–1
Arraignment Wiley W. Manuel or René C. Davidson Within 48 hours in custody
Preliminary hearing (felony) René C. Davidson Courthouse Within 10 court days in custody
Trial Wiley W. Manuel or René C. Davidson Within 60 days if not waived

Juvenile Offenses defense in Oakland — Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 14-year-old be tried as an adult in Oakland?

Generally no. SB 1391 (2019), upheld in O.G. v. Superior Court (2021), eliminated the ability to transfer minors under 16 to adult court — even for murder. Minors 16 and 17 can still be transferred after a WIC §707 transfer hearing.

Will my child have a criminal record from an Oakland juvenile case?

Juvenile cases produce an ‘adjudication,’ not a ‘conviction.’ Most records can be sealed under WIC §781 five years after the case closes or at age 18. WIC §786 provides automatic sealing on satisfactory probation completion.

Does an Oakland juvenile have the right to a jury trial?

No. Under McKeiver v. Pennsylvania (1971) and California law, juveniles charged in delinquency court do not have a Sixth Amendment right to a jury — the case is tried before a judge.

Where do Oakland criminal cases go to court?

Oakland cases go to Alameda County Superior Court. Misdemeanors and traffic go to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington St). Felonies go to the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon St). Our attorneys appear at both regularly.

Who is Seth Morris?

Seth Morris founded Morris Law in 2021. He earned his JD at UC Berkeley School of Law in 2006, served as a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County, and has tried more than 25 jury trials — including cases with life-in-prison exposure. He helped develop the national Body Camera Toolkit for President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

How quickly can I meet with an Oakland criminal defense lawyer?

Same day, in most cases. Attorneys are reachable 24 hours a day at (510) 824-8831. If a family member has been booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility or Santa Rita Jail, we can arrange contact within hours.

Get a free juvenile offenses case review

Talk to an Oakland criminal defense lawyer today. Call (510) 824-8831 or fill out our online form. Free case review. 24-hour phone. Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St.

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