Contributing To The Delinquency Of A Minor

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor Penal Code 272 is anyone under the age of 18 in California. An adult whose negligence or actions encourages criminal behavior in a minor may be charged in violation of CA contributing to the delinquency of a minor Penal Code 272.

California contributing to the delinquency of a minor Penal Code 272(a) occurs when an adult uses commands, threats, persuasion, or negligence that leads to a minor becoming:

• A juvenile delinquent
• A dependent of the juvenile court system, OR
• Habitually truant at school/curfew

California contributing to the delinquency of a minor Penal Code 272(b) occurs when an adult “stranger” (21 years or older) with no relation to the child contacts a child under 14 years old and lures him or her away from the child’s parents without their consent.

Penalties for Penal Code 272 

Penal Code 272(a), contributing to the delinquency of a minor, is a misdemeanor punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in county jail, and/or
• A fine of up to $2,500

Penal Code 272(b), luring a child away from his/her parents, is a “wobblette“, which means it can be a misdemeanor or infraction.

Charged as a misdemeanor, it is punishable by:

• Up to 6 months in county jail, and/or
• A fine of up to $1,000

Charged as an infraction, the maximum penalty is:

• A fine of $250

Prosecuting Penal Code 272 

To prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the accused has committed the crime, the following elements must be demonstrated by the prosecutor:

• The defendant committed the act or omission (negligence), AND
• The act or omission might cause or did cause the minor to be a “dependent of juvenile court”, a “delinquent” or a “habitual truant”

It should be noted that the prosecutor only needs to show that the adult’s actions could have a tendency to cause a child to become one of these things. The statute is broad, encompassing a wide variety of behavior from directly engaging in or encouraging a crime, to simply neglecting to provide care for, or discipline the minor.

Defending Penal Code 272 

You didn’t know the child was a minor

In some instances, the defendant may not be aware that the person they were dealing with was a minor. The teenager may look and act much older than they are, or they lied about their age. For acts like buying alcohol for a minor, this is a valid defense.

You are unable to control your child

Prosecutors may argue that you failed to provide adequate supervision for your child, and you were criminally negligent. But sometimes you weren’t negligent and your child was simply uncontrollable. Your spawn may have a mental or behavioral disorder, or may have gotten involved with the wrong crowd.

Falsely Accused

If you are falsely accused, you need to explain what happened to an attorney immediately. A good lawyer can start an investigation and gather evidence to ensure that the truth is known.

These are very general defense strategies for Penal Code 272, there are several more and each case requires knowledge of the details. It’s best to consult a qualified criminal defense lawyer regarding your case.

We Want to Help 

If you or a loved one is facing PC 272 charges, Contributing To The Delinquency Of A Minor Penal Code 272, it’s imperative to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney immediately. Our experienced  Criminal Defense Attorney and have the experience in defending California in a variety of crimes, including “Contributing To The Delinquency Of A Minor” Penal Code 272.