Cal.Sup.Ct.;
S231315

The California Supreme Court affirmed a district court judgment. The court held that local court protocol limiting the length of a minor's detention for competency proceedings did not define due process.

Delinquency petitions were filed alleging minor Albert C.'s commission of multiple crimes. At Albert's arraignment in February 2013, defense counsel expressed doubts as to Albert's competence. The juvenile court suspended proceedings and placed Albert in juvenile hall for evaluation. The court subsequently found Albert incompetent to stand trail. In February 2014, following a 354-day suspension of proceedings, the court found “overwhelming evidence” to suggest that Albert “had been exaggerating his responses.” The court concluded that Albert had attained competence. Albert thereafter admitted two of the allegations against him, and the remainder were dismissed. The court declared Albert a ward and ordered him removed from juvenile hall and placed in a secure group home or juvenile camp.