How Do You Write a Good Character Letter for Court?

April 23, 2024November 15, 2024 by Amber Zehrung

Character letters help show judges and District Attorneys (DAs) that you are more than your latest mistake. They can be vital tools in navigating your criminal case. A character letter can help you: Receive a more lenient sentence. Convince a judge to offer deferred adjudication, which gives you a chance to avoid a conviction if you meet certain conditions. Continue reading →

What Should I Do If My Child is Arrested?

April 17, 2024April 23, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

Written by Matthew Lanthier July 25, 2023; reviewed by Danielle Nygren April 17, 2024. Few scenarios are more terrifying than knowing your child has been arrested or charged with a crime. Plus, you may not realize that there are steps you should be taking to help your family during this trying time. Continue reading →

When Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult in California?

November 22, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

As a criminal defense lawyer with a focus on juvenile delinquency, I get many questions about whether children can be tried as adults. The short answer is “yes”, but only when specific conditions are met. Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About Having Juvenile Records Sealed

November 22, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

California law allows you to have your juvenile records sealed in most cases. Once your juvenile records are sealed, the juvenile proceedings are legally deemed never to have occurred. The sealing order will include a date for expungement (destruction) of the records. This article will answer questions about the process and effect of sealing juvenile records in California. Learn about sealing adult records here. Continue reading →

Can a Juvenile be Questioned by Police Without a Parent Present in California?

November 21, 2023April 17, 2024 by Danielle Nygren

As a criminal defense lawyer one of the questions I hear most frequently is, “Can a minor be questioned without a parent present?” There are two entities likely to question your child about involvement in a crime: police officers and school personnel. Let's look at each. Continue reading →