As a veteran Orange County juvenile defense attorney, Houman Fakhimi and our Criminal Defense Team understand the importance of defending young people charged with a crime.

Whether a first offense or another in a string of violations that suggest a young person is heading down the wrong road, protecting the rights of juveniles within the criminal justice system is critical when it comes to providing them with the opportunity to succeed in the adult world.

California law can be particularly tough, as the Three-Strikes Law and gang enhancements may leave a teenager facing a lengthy prison sentence – even a life sentence – for a low-level felony conviction, such as drug possession as an adult.

Gang Enhancements can be particularly unfair. Penal Code 186.22PC can result in an additional 5, 10 or 15 years behind bars. Even 25 years to life in prison is possible. The state may seek to associate a defendant with a gang for any number of reasons – associating with the wrong people or even wearing the wrong “colors” can be enough in the state’s eyes to result in a crime that carries a gang enhancement. Once so affiliated, it can be nearly impossible to disassociate yourself legally from a street gang.

More than 1,400 gangs exist in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. Authorities utilize special enforcement and the Street Terrorism Enforcement Prevention Act (STEP) to investigate and prosecute alleged gang crimes.

The Criminal Defense Team represents teenagers facing all types of misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Assault
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Auto Theft
• Carjacking
• Shoplifting
• Theft
• Drug Possession
• Drug Distribution
• Crimes at School
• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Vandalism
• Arson
• Breaking & Entering
• Assault on a Police Officer
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Each juvenile case is unique. For many, lack of a defense and prolonged exposure to the criminal justice system can have a long-term negative impact on their life. They may be introduced to the wrong people and continue those associations in a manner that leads to more serious criminal activity.

A criminal record may impact his or her ability to obtain student aid, gain entrance to certain colleges or even join the military. Such convictions may also follow them into adulthood, making it difficult or impossible to work in certain career fields or obtain certain occupational licenses.

For other juveniles, who have already been in trouble with the law, they may be running out of time and chances. Conviction of a Strike Crime under California law may leave them vulnerable to very serious criminal penalties in the event of an adult conviction.

Our California Defense Team reviews the facts and circumstances of each case, before working with the client and family to build the best defense possible.

If your child is facing juvenile charges in Los Angeles, Santa Ana or Rancho Cucamonga, contact the Southern California Criminal Defense Team for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.