Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 707§ 707
Welfare and Institutions Code
Governs transfer hearings and the criteria the juvenile court considers.
California Legislative InformationView official source (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
California
California Juvenile Transfer to Adult Court
California does not allow a prosecutor to simply file a minor's case in adult court. A transfer motion must be heard and decided by the juvenile court.
Last updated August 29, 2026.
Moving a California case out of juvenile court requires a court decision after a contested hearing. Preparation is the defense.
California legal overview
Transfer in California is decided by the juvenile court after a hearing on a prosecution motion. The court weighs statutory criteria concerning the minor and the alleged offense before deciding whether the case remains in juvenile court.
How this works in California juvenile court
Transfer litigation is evidence-heavy. Psychological evaluation, school and developmental history, family circumstances, and the specific facts of the allegation are all presented. The work begins long before the hearing date.
Potential consequences
- Case remains in juvenile court with juvenile dispositions available
- Case is transferred to adult criminal court with adult exposure and an adult record
What parents should do
- 1Ask immediately whether the prosecution has filed or signaled a transfer motion.
- 2Start collecting school, medical, and mental health records now.
- 3Do not let your child discuss the allegation with anyone while transfer is pending.
Frequently asked questions
Can a California prosecutor charge my child directly in adult court?
Transfer in California is decided by the juvenile court after a hearing rather than by prosecutorial filing choice alone.
California statutes and official sources
Each reference links to the official published source.
Related topics
California Juvenile DefenseCalifornia juvenile cases run on their own statutes, their own courtrooms, and their own timelines. What happens in the first days often shapes everything after.California Juvenile LawsA parent-level guide to the California statutes and rules that decide how a juvenile case is opened, heard, and closed.California Juvenile CrimesHow California juvenile court handles specific allegations, from school incidents to serious felonies.California Juvenile Court ProcessWhat actually happens, stage by stage, in a California juvenile case.California Juvenile DetentionIf your child is being held, detention is the first fight, and it happens fast.California Juvenile DiversionSome California cases can be resolved without a sustained petition. Whether that is possible is often decided very early.National overviewTried as an AdultThe national hub on juvenile transfer and adult court.
Speak with a California juvenile defense lawyer
Tell us what happened, the county, and where the case stands. We will explain the next step clearly and confidentially.