Juvenile Traffic and Minor Offense

Any person who was under the age of 18 at the time he or she committed the alleged offense may come under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 256 specifies the offenses that may be heard in the Juvenile Traffic and Minor Offense Court, which include:

• Non-felony Vehicle Code violations
• Violations of state or local law relating to traffic
• Fish and Game Code violations
• Violations of state and local law relating to evasion of fares on a public transportation system
• Daytime loitering
• Curfew violations
• Drunkenness in public
• Business and Professions Code violations related to possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor
• Graffiti
• Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana
• Petty theft (charged as an infraction)
• Penal Code Section 415 - Disturbing the peace (charged as an infraction)

Mandatory Appearance Policy

Because the law prohibits forfeiture of bail in lieu of an appearance by a minor, the Juvenile Court requires a personal appearance by the minor. Normally at least one parent is required to attend the hearing. The Juvenile Court is accustomed to reinforcing the parent-child relationship. Parental presence ensures that parents are aware of the incident, understand the reasons for the disposition made in the case, and can cooperate in the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

For additional information, please visit Kids and the Law Informational Resource at:

Link to Kids and the Law: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/images/pamphlets/KidsLawENG2016web-r.pdf