Hi, I'm Seppi Esfandi

For over 17 years, I’ve helped people with their criminal problems. I realize that when you’re calling me, you’re in a bind and need someone who will support you through thick and thin. Ever since graduating from UCLA Law School, I’ve helped people get their cases dismissed, their charges reduced, and avoid jail or prison. I promise to treat you like family, and treat your case like I would a brother or a sister. I have been peer-reviewed by Judges and other attorneys as highly qualified in the area of criminal law. I have a wide range of experience litigating various criminal cases. I can be both nice and aggressive- depending on what is required to get the best result for you. My reputation is very important to me, and I protect it by getting excellent results for my clients. You can go to Yelp, Google, My Website, or any other site to see what my clients are saying about me. I am always available to speak with you. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Four Hearings of Juvenile Court Process

• Detention Hearing: Determines whether the juvenile can be released to his or her parents or must stay in custody during the case.
• Fitness Hearing: Determines if the juvenile’s case will be heard in juvenile delinquency court or be transferred to an adult criminal court (note: a fitness hearing does not occur in the majority of juvenile cases).
  
• Adjudication Hearing: The juvenile’s “trial” is conducted in front of a juvenile court judge.
• Disposition Hearing: The judge’s decision or sentence in the juvenile’s case.

Expungement of Juvenile Criminal Records

Depending on the severity of the case, once a young person who has been convicted of a juvenile crime becomes a legal adult, there is an opportunity to seek to expunge their juvenile criminal record. The procedure for filing a motion to expunge can be confusing. Our Los Angeles juvenile defense attorneys have considerable experience obtaining expungements of criminal records throughout California for young people who want a completely fresh start.

  Avoiding Charges Altogether

In an American juvenile court, it is possible to avoid placing formal charges.  There are seven official factors that can help formal charges be avoided:  

1. The severity of the offense. A serious crime is more likely to result in the filing of a petition than a less severe crime.
2. The minor's age. Petitions are more likely to be filed in cases involving older children.
3. The minor's past record. Formal charges are more likely when a minor has been previously involved with juvenile court.
4. The strength of the evidence that the minor committed a crime. Obviously, stronger evidence leads to a greater likelihood of formal charges.
5. The minor's sex. Formal charges are more likely to be filed against boys than against girls.
6. The minor's social history. Petitions are more likely to be filed when children have a history of problems at home or school.
7. The parent's or guardian's apparent ability to control the minor. The greater the lack of parental control, the more likely the intake officer is to file a petition.

Along with these seven, four "unofficial" factors can sway an official:

1. The minor's attitude. Formal proceedings are less likely to occur when a child shows remorse for committing a crime.
2. The minor's appearance. If the young person is polite, dressed well, and neatly groomed, then the intake personnel are more likely to handle the case informally.
3. Whether the minor has family or community support. The more support the young person has, the more likely the intake officer is to deal with the case informally.
4. Whether the minor has an attorney.

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