In re C.S. CA1/4

I. BACKGROUND

On August 14, 2013, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office filed a delinquency petition alleging that C.S. committed second degree commercial burglary

1 All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise specified.

1 and petty theft, both misdemeanors, on or about October 17, 2012. The charges stemmed from a shoplifting incident involving C.S. and another boy. On the date in question, C.S. reportedly entered a Macy’s store in Antioch with the second minor, placed two pairs of jeans underneath his clothing, and attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise. The second minor acted in a similar fashion, placing one pair of jeans down his pants. C.S. had a pocket knife in his possession at the time of his arrest, but no wallet or money. Both boys claimed they were runaways and took the clothing because they had nothing to wear. The total value of the merchandise found on C.S., which was recovered by Macy’s, was $80.00. On September 19, 2013, following a contested jurisdictional hearing, the juvenile court found the charges to be true. The dispositional hearing was held on October 2 and 3, 2013. In its…