Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

That your son was released to you does not mean he is "off the hook". All it means is that the police have decided not to hold onto him for the time being. The ticket he received is not just a souvenir; it shows that there is an actual case against him. The December 1 court date also proves that this matter is far from over.

A felony charge is a serious thing, and you need to take it seriously. If he is convicted, it is quite likely he will be incarcerated by the California Youth Authority. A mere fine seems unlikely.

Your son needs a lawyer ASAP. If you can't afford to hire one for him, the court will appoint one at public expense. He is much better off with private counsel, though, if only because public defenders generally have very little time for each case.

A conviction will disrupt your son's life in ways you cannot begin to imagine. His entire future is at stake. You should do everything you can to protect him, which means getting him the best attorney you can.

I have to agree with Mr Hoffman. This is a very serious charge, and if there is any chance of defeating the charge, you should hire the best defense lawyer you can afford (NOW!) so he can be prepared when you go to court in December.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, you must NOT let your child perceive that this is "Over" as you seem to have done. If he thinks it is that easy to get involved in robbery and "walk away" he will likely go back and do more stuff. THAT would virtually ensure that he gets incarcerated for a few years. Impress on him that his behavior from now to the end of the case will determine whether the rest of his life is a pleasant, normal one or some kind of hell. Good luck.

Fine?? He faces CYA or prison time if convicted. If he doesn't know how to effectively represent himself in court against a DA trying to put him in prison, most people would hire an attorney that does know how to handle his defense. If serious about doing so, feel free to contact me.