CRIMES

Download the 2006 Juvenile Justice Handbook here. The handbook provides updated information about today's juvenile laws. It is also the basis for the juvenile justice curriculum taught in all Placer County high schools by the Peer Court program. Contact Placer County Peer Court to obtain hard copies of the handbook. 

What is a Crime?

A crime is doing something that the law says you are not to do, or not doing something the law says you have to do. (Penal Code 15) It should be noted that a "crime" is committed against society as a whole and not just against it's direct victim. "Crimes" are prosecuted by the District Attorney on behalf of "The People of the State of California."

Are all crimes the same?

No, there are three types of crimes:

FELONIES are the most serious crimes and can result in commitment to state prison for more than one year and up to life. Felonies also include crimes punishable by death.

MISDEMEANORS are less serious crimes which cannot result in confinement in a state prison, but result in commitment to the county jail for not more than one year. Most misdemeanors are punished by six months in the county jail.

INFRACTIONS are the least serious violations of the law and do not result in jail time. An example of an infraction is a traffic ticket, for which you can be required to pay a fine. Some infractions may result in the suspension or restriction of one's license, and for juveniles, the imposition of certain terms of probation, such as drug testing.

Many offenses may be treated by the court as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the particular circumstances of the crime.

Under no circumstances, can a juvenile be confined for more time than an adult would serve for the same crime. Juveniles are sent to juvenile hall instead of the county jail, and except under very rare circumstances, are sent to California Youth Authority rather than state prison.

Juveniles and the "Three Strikes" Law

The Three Strikes law is a complex and controversial system for punishing certain repeat offenders. The law requires that persons with serious or violent prior convictions be punished more than usual offenders. If a defendant has one prior serious conviction, he or she is to receive twice the punishment normally applied to the current crime. If the defendant has two or more prior serious felony convictions, the defendant is to receive a sentence of 25 years to life. While the provisions of the Three Strikes law normally apply to adults, there are two circumstances where the law will apply to juveniles. First, certain juvenile offenses qualify as "strikes." If a juvenile commits one or more serious felonies when under 18 and then commits any other felony after reaching 18, the new felony could result in a commitment of 25 years to life! Second, Proposition 21 greatly expanded the ability of the district attorney and the courts to prosecute juvenile offenders as adults. Juvenile cases prosecuted in adult court carry the same punishment as for adults. It is possible that a juvenile, as young as age 14, can receive a sentence of 25 years to life in prison!