Morris Law is an East Bay criminal defense firm serving Alameda County — Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, Piedmont, Albany, and surrounding communities. Call (510) 330-0814 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). We have two East Bay offices — Oakland (2744 E 11th St · 510-824-8831) and Berkeley (2025 Rose St #200 · 510-350-3225) — and our attorneys appear in Alameda County Superior Court every week. Seth Morris spent years as a Deputy Public Defender in those exact courthouses.

What is juvenile offenses under California law?

East Bay 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 California 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. We assess collateral exposure at the start of every case.

How Morris Law defends juvenile offenses cases

Every case is different, but the defense strategies below are the ones that most often produce 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 California

Wherever you were arrested — Oakland Police, Berkeley Police, CHP, BART Police, or a county Sheriff — take these steps immediately:

  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) 330-0814. Our firm-wide line answers 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 California 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.
  • Two East Bay offices. Oakland (2744 E 11th St · East Oakland) and Berkeley (2025 Rose St #200 · North Berkeley).
  • 24/7 phone access at (510) 330-0814.
  • Clear, plain-language updates. No jargon.

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

Where we defend juvenile offenses cases

Two East Bay offices, one firm. Cases across the Bay Area and California — including federal cases in the Northern District.

Oakland Office

2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 824-8831

Oakland juvenile offenses defense →

Berkeley Office

2025 Rose St #200, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 350-3225

Berkeley juvenile offenses defense →

How juvenile offenses cases move through California courts

Stage Where Timing
Arrest Oakland Police, Berkeley Police, CHP, Sheriff, or BART Police Day 0
Booking Glenn E. Dyer, Santa Rita Jail, or local PD Day 0–1
Arraignment Wiley W. Manuel (misdemeanors) or René C. Davidson (felonies) 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 California — Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 California 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 California 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 does Morris Law have offices?

Morris Law has two offices in the East Bay. The Oakland office is at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601 — (510) 824-8831. The Berkeley office is at 2025 Rose St #200, Berkeley, CA 94709 — (510) 350-3225. The firm-wide line is (510) 330-0814, available 24/7.

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 a California criminal defense lawyer?

Same day, in most cases. The firm-wide line is (510) 330-0814, answered 24 hours a day. If you or a family member has been booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility, Santa Rita Jail, or Berkeley Police Department, we can arrange contact within hours from either office.

Get a free juvenile offenses case review

Talk to a California criminal defense lawyer today. Call (510) 330-0814 — our firm-wide line, answered 24 hours a day. Or contact either office directly: Oakland at (510) 824-8831, Berkeley at (510) 350-3225.

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