People v. Superior Court (J.A.) CA5

INTRODUCTION

In 2021, a juvenile wardship petition was filed against J.A. alleging he had committed, in part, murder and attempted murder when he discharged a firearm. J.A. was just under 17 years old when his alleged crimes occurred. The prosecution moved to transfer J.A. to adult criminal court. After a lengthy contested transfer hearing, the juvenile court ruled that the prosecution had failed to meet its burden by clear and convincing evidence that J.A. was not amenable to rehabilitation while under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Petitioner filed a petition for writ of mandate in this court asking us to vacate the transfer order and direct the juvenile court to grant the motion and order J.A.’s case to proceed in adult court. We reject petitioner’s arguments that the juvenile court abused its discretion. We deny the petition for writ of mandate.

BACKGROUND

We summarize the material facts. We provide additional details later in this opinion when relevant to the issues which petitioner raises.

I. The Shooting.

Just prior to the transfer hearing, the prosecution established by a preponderance of the evidence that J.A. had committed the alleged crimes.1 We…