Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Possession of paraphenilia

He may be elegible for the P. C. 1000 or the new program. Both are diversion programs. He can be sentenced to that in Yucca Valley and do the program here in OC. After the program is completed he reports back to court and the charges are dropped. There are a number of exceptions. However, from what you set forth he appears to be elegible. The new program went into effect on July 1, 2001. This was voter approved six months ago. This young man will now have two chances to screw up and go to a program.

Bench warrant to issue

Usually when a minor fails to appear for a court date a bench warrant is issued. It is called FTA in slang, for failure to appear. If your son will not be there, I suggest that you appear before the court and ask them to hold the bench warrant. You can then make an ex parte motion to the court to set a date for your son's next appearance. the charge for your son is a misdemeanor. The FTA make matters many times worse. Try to get him into court. Most likely some type of drug education program and probation will result without the FTA.