Juvenile Crime

It was recently reported that the California State Appeal Court ruled that the San Diego City curfew for teenagers is unconstitutional. The San Diego City curfew ordinance stated that a juvenile (anyone under the age of 18) cannot be out between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am without an adult unless they are going to or from a job. The Court of Appeal felt that the city ordinance prevents teens from being able to attend functions like school or religious activities that often end after the 10 pm hour without an adult driving them to and from the event. The case that brought the ordinance into question involved a teenage girl who was cited by the California Highway Patrol when she was driving home at 1 am in May of 2008. San Diego City has revised the ordinance so that it is in compliance with the court’s decision.

Under Municipal Code 58.0101, 58.0102, and 58.0103, the curfew law still applies. The city of San Diego has amended the exceptions to this law by allowing minors to attend school and religious activities.

If you or a loved one has been cited for violating San Diego’s curfew law, the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can help. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in handling all types of criminal matters. We will fully represent your rights and fight to get you the best possible result in your case. Call us today at (888) 280-6839 or visit us on our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

San Diego News 10 recently reported that a 17 year old boy is currently in juvenile hall following the death of Hector Nava. The teenager was accused of murdering Nava with a gun in Oceanside, California. Nava is the brother-in-law of the suspect (whose name has not been released because he is a minor.) As of now, there is currently no known motive for the shooting. The investigation is still in process.

Murder charges are extremely serious. It is vital that you have an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney if you or a loved one is currently suspected of murder or other violent crimes. There are multiple levels of murder charges including first degree murder (premeditated), second degree murder, and manslaughter. Within the charge of manslaughter there are three other levels of charges: voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter. Each of these crimes is punishable with prison time ranging from 2 years to a mandatory 25 years to life in prison. Each of these crimes require a knowledgeable and skilled, serious felony criminal defense attorney to ensure that your rights and defense are handled with the utmost importance.

Wallin and Klarich has been successfully representing persons accused of homicide charges for over 30 years. We urge you to contact us if you or a loved one is facing a serious criminal charge. You can reach us via phone at 1-877-230-1529 or fill out our consultation form online at www.wklaw-sandiego.com for a free evaluation of your San Diego County case. We’ll help you figure out the next step, an answer any questions you might have.

The San Diego Union Tribune reported on the recent drunk driving crash that ended in the fatality of a Torrey Pines High School student. The driver of the vehicle was a 17 year old classmate of the student and is now potentially facing charges of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. The driver will not be charged as an adult according to the San Diego District Attorney’s office and his case will be handled in the juvenile courts.

If you find yourself with a minor who has been charged with a DUI, you need to take the charges very seriously and seek the assistance of a skilled San Diego Juvenile Defense attorney. Juvenile court is operated very differently from adult criminal adult court. To begin, juvenile courts have their own policies and regulations separate from adult criminal court. Juvenile courts do not offer jury trials but are handled by a judge only. The juvenile court’s goal is to help the “delinquent” minor with the use of rehabilitation, counseling, and education. But incarceration in a juvenile detention facility and/or probation can be a possibility depending on the seriousness of the crime the minor is facing. In addition, when a minor is facing DUI charges, it poses serious risks to his or her driving privileges. The minor may end up with a one year license suspension.

Given all these risks, you can see how important it is to make sure that a minor who is being charged with a DUI has an experienced and qualified DUI lawyer. Our lawyers in San Diego have the experience you need. It is also important to have an attorney experienced specifically in Juvenile Defense. Our lawyers can help ensure that your minor’s rights and future are protected. Call us today at 1-877-230-1529 or fill out our consultation form for a free evaluation of your San Diego County criminal case.

Source:http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/06/bn06student-due-in-court/?&zIndex=178377