In re Bryce C. CA1/2

BACKGROUND

Bryce’s involvement with the juvenile justice system began in February 2012, when the Contra Costa County District Attorney filed a section 602 petition alleging that then 14-year-old Bryce had committed two felonies: possession of a firearm in a school zone and possession of a firearm by a minor. A third count was later added— misdemeanor possession of a firearm by a minor—and Bryce admitted that count in exchange for dismissal of the felonies. He was adjudged a ward of the court and placed on juvenile electronic monitoring at his mother’s home with standard conditions of probation. After multiple probation violations, however, Bryce was committed to OAYRF for six months. Bryce graduated from OAYRF in March 2013 and returned to his mother’s home. Two weeks later, however, he ran away. A notice of probation violation was filed, and a warrant issued for his arrest. Bryce’s whereabouts remained unknown until the evening of August 31, 2013, when two Pittsburg police officers were patrolling a neighborhood known to be a Norteño hangout. Several individuals, including Bryce, were standing in front of an apartment building. When the officers parked their car, Bryce and a…