Fresno County, CA Public Defender’s Juvenile Delinquency Office
Description
The Public Defender's Juvenile Delinquency Office in Fresno County plays an important role in providing legal services to minors in the juvenile justice system. When a juvenile (any person under the age of 18) is formally charged by the Fresno County District Attorney with the commission of an act that violates a criminal law, the juvenile and his or her parents or guardian are ordered to appear at the juvenile court. A juvenile is entitled to appointed counsel. The mission of the Public Defender’s Office is to vigorously protect and defend the rights of indigent clients as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Their goal is to provide full and fair legal representation with respect and compassion for all. The Public Defender also assists with the transfer hearing. A transfer hearing is held to decide if a youth will be tried as an adult. If the Judge decides that youth is “unfit” for juvenile court, he or she will be tried in adult court (youth must be 14 years old when crime was committed).