People v. Kathy P.

Opinion

NEWMAN, J.

The main issue in this case is whether the adjudication of a juvenile infraction charge by a traffic hearing officer,

*95under Welfare and Institutions Code section 255 et seq.,1 violates the constitutional limitation of such officers’ functions to “subordinate *96judicial duties” (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 222) or deprives the minor of equal protection or due process. Also at issue is whether the record must show that the minor consented to the abbreviated procedure (§ 257) and waived representation by counsel.

Appellant Kathy was cited for violating Vehicle Code section 21804…