People v. Alonzo

Opinion

KENNARD, J.

In a juvenile delinquency proceeding, a 13-year-old child was being detained in juvenile hall on allegations that he had committed two felony assaults and a misdemeanor vandalism. The prosecution offered a plea deal under which the child could return to the home he shared with his mother and his sister, on probation, if he admitted committing one felony assault. The child wanted to accept the offer, but his attorney refused to consent and the juvenile court would not accept the child’s admission of guilt without that consent. After a contested jurisdictional hearing, the…