Sylmar Juvenile Court is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Copyright 2004 - 2007.
Sylmar / San Fernando Valley Juvenile Court
Sylmar Juvenile Court also known as San Fernando Valley Juvenile Court is located at 16350 filbert Street, Sylmar, CA 91342. There are five bench officers that work out of the Sylmar Juvenile Court. They are as follows:
Sylmar Juvenile Court Referee Althea Baker Dept 275.
Sylmar Juvenile Court Commissioner Jack Gold Dept 276
Sylmar Juvenile Court Commissioner Robert Totten, Dept 277 (Commissioner Totten was a private Lawyer from 1981-1992, part time referee from 1992 to 1996, full time referee from 1996 to 1997, and Elected Superior Court commissioner by judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1997. He is married to Dependency Court Commissioner Debra Losnick. He is a graduate of Loyola Law School in 1981 and in 2005 is 50 years old.)
Sylmar Juvenile Court Commissioner Anthony B. Drewry Dept 278
Sylmar Juvenile Court Judge Morton Rochman Dept 279
School Liason - Sylmar Juvenile Court
Suhil Mulla is the school liason at Sylmar Juvenile Court. Her telephone number is (818) 364--2104. Ms. Mulla's job is to help the Sylmar Juvenile Court Judges verify attendance and school grades for children appearing before the court. Ms. Mulla's other duties include helping expedite appropriate school placements, and testifying regarding schools records as legal custodians of school records. In addition, Ms. Mulla is the liason to school staff by providing on-call status to subpoenaed school teachers and adminstrators. What the "on call" status means is that school teachers and administrators are allowed to not have to wait all day in court but only if they agree to appear within an hour of notice. This allows for the efficient administration of the schools since trials are often set but many resolve at the last moment. For students with unexcused absences and excessive tardies, the Sylmar Juvenile Deputy District Attorney can use the information provided by the school liason to request a probation violation hearing.
Does it help my childs case at Sylmar Juvenile Court if my child has very good grades and doing well in school?
Strong performanced in school is looked upon very favorably by the Sylmar Juvenile Court. In fact, good grades can many times be a factor in the types of dispositions reached by the parties. It does pay to study. Also any letters of recommendations from school teachers also have significant weight as many Sylmar Juvenile Court Judges give much consideration to a teacher who indicates something positive about the child.
If my child is in custody at Sylmar Juvenile Hall, is there anything my child can bring to Sylmar Juvenile Court demonstrating good progress and character?
Yes. Some Sylmar Juvenile Hall staff are willling to write letters. However, most common are the Sylmar Juvenile Hall "Good Grams" given to students at the Sylmar Juvenile Hall. These Good Grams are signed by the Juvenile Hall teachers and given to the students. As trivial as this may seem, it does show the court, the child has good citizenship.
Showing up to Sylmar Juvenile Court with poor grades
A childs progress in school can greatly affect the outcome of his or her Sylmar Juvenile Law case. Many California Juvenile Law Judges and Juvenile Deputy District Attorneys erroneously assume poor academic performance is caused by laziness of the child. Although that may be true with some children, more often than not, many students have a learning disability that will affect the childs grades.
The Sylmar Juvenile Court Judges and Sylmar Juvenile Court Commissioners and Referees place a very high importance on children attending school. Many Juvenile Judges believe that if the child is willfully not attending school, he or she "will have no choice but to be in school while in juvenile hall." Beyond the possible punishment consequences by the Sylmar Juvenile Court, it really is very important that children do receive a solid education. Receiving poor grades also helps destroy any self esteem that your child may have. School is no longer fun for these children. For many children with delinquent cases, a positive school experience may be the only motivator to even consider college. For children with very poor grades, the parents should consider hiring a private tutor three times a week.
Does your child need and Individualized Education Plan?
Parents should also write to their child's school principal requesting an IEP assessment be done. More often than not, many students have a learning disability that will affect the childs grades. If your child has a learning disability, your child should not be punished for not getting the help he needs in school thru an Individualized Education Plan. The burden, however, rests with the parents to requests the IEP assessment be done in writing to the principal.
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
You can request a comprehensive assessment for special education services for your child under P.L. 94-142. Furthermore, your child can be assessed for eligibility and services under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. If your child is not making adequate educational progress, your child can be eligible for reasonable accomodations and special education services under Section 504. Your request for services should be made in writing. In accordance with Sections 56321 (a) of the California Education Code, the School District will respond to this request within 15 calender days by forwarding to you an asssessment plan for your approval. Once the assessment is received by the School District with your approval, the assessment will commence and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting will be convened within 50 calender days not counting school vacation days in excess of five days.
Does my child need a lawyer for his case at Sylmar Juvenile Court?
Anytime a child is facing criminal charges, you should immediately consult and retain a lawyer that has a proven successful track record handling Juvenile cases. Police use all kinds of deceptive tactics when dealing with minors. Among others, they often will go to your childs school, have him or her brought to the principals for a police interrogation. Meanwhile, this goes on without even contacting the parents. Their coercive techniques include saying things will go much better for them if they cooperate. Many others will often request the child to write a so called "apology letter." Meanwhile, the apology letter never actually is given to the alleged victim but merely used in court to incriminate the child as a confession.
Getting a lawyer that specializes in juvenile law is very important. Terrible mistakes are often made by lawyers who specialize in adult cases.
In one case, the police convinced a lawyer who was a former court commisioner to allow his client to spill his guts out.
In another case, a lawyer who primarily handles adult criminal cases misadvised his juvenile client the amount of time he would have to serve at the California Youth Authority, and further misadvised him that he could seal an offense listed under 707b of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
A criminal record could have life long consequences, particularly if it is an offense that cannot later be sealed or is a strike. Don't use a lawyer who practices juvenile law on the side. It is a very specialized field. Experience makes a big difference. Your child deserves the best competent legal representation possible.
Sylmar Juvenile Court Dress Code
Those entering Sylmar Juvenile Court are required to follow a dress code. No sunglasses,bandanas, tanks tops, hats or caps. No smoking or chewing tobacco. Wearing of any "gang" symbols or logos or gang attire as determined by Security and Sheriffs Personnel. No untucked shirts. No hair nets allowed. Minors should not appear in shorts or wear baggie clothing.
Free Consultation for Sylmar Juvenile Court matters by
California's Premier Juvenile Law Firm
Mr. Kita is a former Juvenile Deputy District Attorney who has successfully handled more than 1000 juvenile cases. If your child is facing criminal charges at the Sylmar Juvenile Court, please call the law offices of George Kita for a free consultation at (626) 975-2080. Mr. Kita is available for a free consultation to discuss your case seven days a week.
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Copyright 2003, George Kita