In re T.O.

I.

INTRODUCTION

This is an appeal by the People after the juvenile court’s order declaring defendant

and respondent T.O. (minor) a ward of the court and placing him in a secure local facility

for committing a sexual offense against his seven-year-old cousin. The People contend

that the juvenile court erred in refusing to impose mandatory sex offender registration 1 pursuant to Penal Code section 290.008 because the court improperly relied on a strict

interpretation of section 290.008 without adequately considering the illogical or

consequences and harmonizing the statutory scheme. Based on the legislative intent in

enacting changes to the juvenile delinquency provisions and the plain language of section

290.008, we affirm the judgment.

II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In April 2020, then 17-year-old minor pulled his seven-year-old cousin, Jane Doe,

into a bedroom, covered her mouth with a scarf, and then anally and vaginally raped her.

Jane reported the sexual assault to her mother and aunt the following day. Minor was

subsequently arrested.

1 All future statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.

2 On May 6, 2020, a juvenile…