People v. Superior Court (Zaharias M.)

Opinion

VOGEL (C. S.), J.

Introduction

The issue in this mandate proceeding is whether the trial court erred in finding that Zaharias M., a 16-year-old accused of committing, along with 3 companions, a bank robbery while using a gun, was fit to be dealt with under the juvenile court law. Our analysis of case precedent and the governing statutory scheme compels the conclusion that the trial court’s decision was erroneous as a matter of law. We therefore issue a writ of mandate to compel the trial court to vacate its order and to enter an order finding Zaharias M. unfit for juvenile court…