In Re Shawnn F.
People v. Shawnn F.
Opinion
Opinion
Vartabedian, J.
Shawnn F., a minor, appeared before the juvenile court on two Welfare and Institutions Code section 602 petitions. After trial, the court found that Shawnn drove without a valid driver’s license and committed a battery. Shawnn claims in his appeal: (1) the juvenile court denied him the right to represent himself, (2) the “rule of convenience” does not apply to the burden of proof upon the charge of driving without a license, (3) the juvenile court failed to state whether the battery offense was a felony or a misdemeanor, and (4) the trial court failed to consider his ability to pay a restitution fine. We remand the matter for further findings by the juvenile court on these last two issues. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed. We publish our discussion of the first two issues.
Facts
On May 31, 1993, Sergeant George Ruckman stopped the car Shawnn was driving because the rear license plate was obstructed. Ruckman asked for Shawnn’s license. Shawnn failed to produce a driver’s license.
In the early morning hours of August 6, 1993, Thomas M. was returning from a fishing trip with two acquaintances, Jack and Marty. Jack and Marty were passengers in Thomas’s…