Juvenile Law
If a juvenile you care about is facing criminal charges, GFT can help. A juvenile is defined by the law as a minor, anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who isn’t old enough to be held responsible for their actions. Juveniles are commonly charged with drug possession and DUI.
Our experienced juvenile lawyers will work with you and your family to advocate in court to make sure you are represented to the fullest letter of the law. We handle all cases with compassion, integrity, courtesy, diligence, and strong advocacy to place our clients in the best position to resolve their cases.
Juvenile Lawyers Who Operate With Care
As a parent, we understand that your number one concern for your child is their safety and happiness. However, there are situations in which those can be compromised, like when they commit a crime. Juvenile offenses include truancy, violations of curfew, drug and alcohol possession, and more. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we believe that all children are able to grow, learn, and change from the mistakes they’ve made and thus deserve the opportunity to right their wrongs in order to have a successful future. Our highly-skilled team of criminal lawyers will work tirelessly for your family to get any charges dismissed using any and all necessary resources. They are professionally qualified counselors of minors, and have been licensed as such by state and local bar associations. Our team has over 100 collective years of experience and we possess the legal knowledge that will help your family navigate its legal issues effectively. GFT’s experienced lawyers will stand by your side and communicate every step of the process, so you feel confident in trusting us to achieve the best possible outcome for your family. If your loved one is facing a criminal charge, contact GFT to work on their case.
What to Expect From A Juvenile Case
If your child has been arrested, please call us today so that we may get started working on their case. The earlier we become familiar with it, the better off your family will be. We will immediately file a petition asking the court to get involved. There are two types of petitions: 601 and 602. A 601 petition is filed by the probation department. It covers crimes like running away, skipping school, breaking curfew, etc. A 602 petition is filed by the District Attorney’s Office and states that, if the child were over 18, they would have committed a felony or misdemeanor. After the petitions are filed, there will be several hearings regarding the case and then a judge will rule on the outcome of it.
About Juvenile Offenses
If a juvenile you care about is facing criminal charges, GFT can help. A juvenile is defined by the law as a minor, anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who isn’t old enough to be held responsible for their actions. Juveniles are commonly charged with drug possession and DUI.
Our experienced juvenile lawyers will work with you and your family to advocate in court to make sure you are represented to the fullest letter of the law. We handle all cases with compassion, integrity, courtesy, diligence, and strong advocacy to place our clients in the best position to resolve their cases.
Juvenile Lawyers Who Operate With Care
As a parent, we understand that your number one concern for your child is their safety and happiness. However, there are situations in which those can be compromised, like when they commit a crime. Juvenile offenses include truancy, violations of curfew, drug and alcohol possession, and more. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we believe that all children are able to grow, learn, and change from the mistakes they’ve made and thus deserve the opportunity to right their wrongs in order to have a successful future. Our highly-skilled team of criminal lawyers will work tirelessly for your family to get any charges dismissed using any and all necessary resources. They are professionally qualified counselors of minors, and have been licensed as such by state and local bar associations. Our team has over 100 collective years of experience and we possess the legal knowledge that will help your family navigate its legal issues effectively. GFT’s experienced lawyers will stand by your side and communicate every step of the process, so you feel confident in trusting us to achieve the best possible outcome for your family. If your loved one is facing a criminal charge, contact GFT to work on their case.
What to Expect From A Juvenile Case
If your child has been arrested, please call us today so that we may get started working on their case. The earlier we become familiar with it, the better off your family will be. We will immediately file a petition asking the court to get involved. There are two types of petitions: 601 and 602. A 601 petition is filed by the probation department. It covers crimes like running away, skipping school, breaking curfew, etc. A 602 petition is filed by the District Attorney’s Office and states that, if the child were over 18, they would have committed a felony or misdemeanor. After the petitions are filed, there will be several hearings regarding the case and then a judge will rule on the outcome of it.
FAQs About Felony Charges
Will my child be charged as an adult?
In very serious crimes like rape, murder, and kidnapping, a child who is 14 year of age or older may be tried as an adult.
Am I responsible for paying all of my child’s legal fees?
Unfortunately, yes, you are. You’re responsible for legal fees as well as any restitution that may be owed to victims of the crime.
Can my child’s juvenile crimes be held against them in adulthood?
California has a three-strikes law, which states that some juvenile crimes may count as strikes in adulthood.
What could happen to my child?
If convicted, your child could receive informal probation, formal probation, community service, substance abuse counseling, restitution, or commitment.
Is the juvenile system better than the adult court system.
Though “better” is a subjective term, the goal of the juvenile system is to rehabilitate its offenders, which is different from the adult system. In California, the goal is to punish adult offenders.
Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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100+ YEARS COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE
Our Law Firm’s History
Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, was co-founded by John J. Gilligan, who has been practicing family law in Long Beach since 1981. Janine M. Frisco is also a partner, as is Kristin Trutanich. Together, they are the area’s most comprehensive legal stronghold.
GFT has helped individuals and their families surmount their legal difficulties for the past several decades. We are proud to serve Southern California, and have the dedication and experience required to handle every type of issue.
The Team of Attorneys
You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
The Team of Attorneys You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
Office
Locations
We have two offices conveniently located in Long Beach & Palos Verdes. We represent clients in courts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.
Long Beach Office
One World Trade Center, Suite #1740
Long Beach, CA 90831
Telephone: (562) 431-2000
FAX: (562) 431-2100
Palos Verdes Office
2516 Vía Tejon, Suite 309
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Telephone: (310) 237-9001
FAX: (562) 431-2100