Juvenile Crime Charges

The moment we’re hired, we reach out to the arresting officers or juvenile probation to gather information. We will be at your child’s detention hearing to advocate for their release. We often contact the DA pre-hearing to discuss the case and possibly prevent charges from being filed formally (or reduced). Families in San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and surrounding South Bay communities trust us to act quickly when every hour counts.

We know parents and guardians are extremely anxious. We take time to explain every step – from the detention hearing, to potential plea bargains, to what programs (counseling, community service) might help avoid harsher outcomes. We act as both lawyers and counselors in a way – supporting families across Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and San Mateo County through this crisis.

We emphasize to the court that your child is not a threat and is capable of change. We present positive aspects (good grades, extracurriculars, family support) and often recommend the minor start counseling, community service, or other proactive steps before court. Showing the judge that the youth is taking rehabilitation seriously can lead to lighter consequences – something we’ve successfully done for families in Los Gatos, Milpitas, Cupertino, and across Silicon Valley.

For serious offenses, prosecutors sometimes attempt to transfer a minor to adult court (where penalties are much harsher). We fight vigorously against those motions – compiling mitigating evidence (psychological evaluations, testimony from youth mentors, etc.) to show the child should remain in the juvenile system. Keeping a case in juvenile court often means the difference between a few years in youth custody vs. decades in prison. We have successfully defended juveniles in Santa Clara, Alameda, and Santa Cruz counties.

Our longstanding work in this field means we know how to craft arguments that resonate with juvenile court judges. Patrick Valencia has even filled in as a judge in these courts, giving him a unique perspective. We use that knowledge to tailor our strategy – for example, knowing which judges prioritize school attendance or value family involvement – and preparing accordingly for cases across San Jose and the greater South Bay.

We instruct our juvenile clients (and their parents) clearly: do not talk to police without us present. Police often try to question minors with promises of leniency – these are tactics. We ensure all communication goes through counsel. In fact, we tell minors to say: “My lawyer is Patrick Valencia and he told me not to talk without him here.” That usually stops further police questioning, protecting the child from self-incrimination.