In re R.A. CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On October 18, 2020, at approximately 4:35 p.m., two Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residential complex in response to a call of a noise disturbance and possible juveniles drinking alcohol. The first deputy who arrived at the scene later testified that he observed a group of individuals situated in a semicircle around a makeshift table in a grassy area near the residential complex and open to the public. Appellant and another individual stood next to a vehicle approximately 10 to 15 feet from the individuals seated around the table. The second deputy testified that when he arrived at the scene, he observed “empty beer cans and bottles surrounding the area,” as well as what appeared to be “numerous cases” of an alcoholic beverage. He also observed a half empty beer bottle on the makeshift table a couple of feet in front of where appellant was standing. When the deputy asked appellant “[h]ow many have you drank,” appellant responded, “three or four.” The deputy then asked how old appellant was, to which he replied that he was fifteen. Appellant was subsequently cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol and released to a…