People v. R.W. CA2/5

BACKGROUND

A. Pre-Hearing Proceedings The district attorney filed a petition alleging that appellant committed second degree robbery when he took personal property from Liliana May (May) on April 21, 2014. Three additional minors were also charged in connection with the same April 21, 2014, incident and all, including appellant, were ordered detained pending further proceedings. At a court appearance on May 8, 2014, counsel for appellant requested a one-week continuance of the adjudication hearing, which was set to commence (in accordance with the time limits specified in section 657) five days later, on May 13. Defense counsel stated she was seeking the continuance because she needed “to know if there’s any audio/video-recorded statements of the witnesses in this case.” The juvenile court, the Honorable Donna Groman presiding, denied the request, stating, “All these young men are detained. I’m not going to find good cause to continue a trial date (1) without a written motion (2) without a showing of good cause.” When appellant’s attorney asked if

1 All undesignated references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 she could file a written motion that afternoon, the…