CHILDREN AND THE LAW
...Delinquency Matters
......Certification (Fitness) Hearings
.........Fitness Hearing: Evidence Issues
9 Cards On This Topic:
  • Minor who voluntarily testifies falsely at trial may be impeached by statements made to probation officer in preparation for fitness hearing.
  • Minor’s statements to probation officer made in preparation for fitness hearing cannot be used as substantive evidence of guilt during subsequent trials; Ramona R. affirmed.
  • Where incriminatory statements offered to make prima facie case that M committed offense triggering presumption of unfitness, M may move to exclude and juvenile court must hold hearing and rule on admissibility of statements.
  • Juv. court entitled to consider firearm enhancement at sentencing even though allegation dismissed per plea bargain; evidence may include probation report.
  • Admission of extrajudicial statements of coparticipants, per Evid. Code §1230, did not deny D’s rights under confrontation clause.
  • Minor’s testimony at fitness hearing inadmissible at later criminal proceeding except for impeachment.
  • Prop. 8 did not change limited admissibility of minor’s statement at fitness hearing.
  • PO’s report and minor’s statement to PO are admissible at fitness hearing.
  • Alibi evidence not relevant at fitness hearing since court would already have found People showed prima facie case of guilt.