San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
Two juveniles have been arrested for participation in the death of a 16-year-old boy who was found beaten and lying on a San Diego Street on Wednesday, April 15. San Diego Police Lt. Matt Dobbs said that the homicide was reported at 10:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of C Street in the Golden Hill area. When officers arrived at the scene they found the boy, identified as Lawrence Furchell, laying in the street with head trauma. The officials provided aid to the boy until an ambulance came to transport Furchell to the local hospital for treatment. Furchell died in the hospital.
Homicide investigators were evaluating the scene to determine how the incident took place. They indicated that Furchell was riding in a large black SUV and he suffered blunt force trauma to the head. The two boys who were arrested in connection with the crime were aged 17 and 16. They were booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of murder.
Investigators are still assessing the incident and piecing together the crime scene to determine how the murder happened and why. They are asking the public to contact the homicide unit with any information related to the murder.
How Are Juvenile Crimes Handled in California?
Criminal defendants under the age of 18 can be sent to either juvenile court or tried in adult court, depending on the crime. If sent to juvenile court, there is no jury. A judge will review their case and determine whether or not the juvenile is guilty of a crime. Punishments for young offenders can range from moderate to severe, depending on the crime and the defendant’s criminal history.
Juvenile court may sentence the child to incarceration or non-incarceration punishments. Incarceration options could include:
- House arrest
- Removal from home shared with parents or guardian to a foster home or group home
- Juvenile hall
- Probation
- Secured juvenile facility
- Adult jail
- Combination of juvenile facility until the age of 18 then to an adult jail
If a juvenile is at least 14 years of age, the crimes that could put him or her in front of an adult court include:
- First degree murder
- Rape
- Forcible sex offenses with the help of other people
- Forcible lewd acts on a child under 14 years of age
- Forcible penetration by a foreign object
- Sodomy by force or violence
Get the Help You Need From a San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer
The outcome of your child’s case will stick with him or her for life. If your child is being tried in adult court for murder, he or she could be looking at 25 years to life in prison. It is imperative that if you or a loved one is charged with a San Diego County murder that you immediately seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego murder and homicide defense attorney.
The Law Offices of David M. Boertje offers effective and aggressive criminal defense services to individuals facing charges throughout Southern California. We will fight for you and always advocate for your best interests.
Call our Carlsbad criminal defense lawyers today to schedule a free consultation at (619) 229-1870 for our San Diego office or (760) 476-0901 for our Carlsbad location.