In the last twenty-five years, I've handled thousands of criminal cases across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. I've worked for the district attorney's office and as a superior court judge, and have been defending juvenile cases since the early 1990s. I understand that when a parent has a child in trouble, whether in another state or California, it's not easy to choose a defense attorney with experience dealing with juvenile crimes.

So, if you're an out-of-state parent looking for an attorney, or if you're a parent in California – I've four kids.  I know what it means to try to protect those you love, especially those who have gone astray. Sometimes, sons and daughters make mistakes.  They get themselves wrapped up in drugs.

Maybe they have a mental illness — whatever the case may be, you need somebody who can sit in and act as a parent would when someone is charged with a crime. You can't do it because you're either not skilled enough to be an attorney to be able to defend your child, or you're out-of-state and know nothing of the system that your son or daughter finds themselves in, so that's where I come in.

I've been doing this for a considerable amount of time.  I know what it takes to win.  I know what it takes to help those young people who have gone astray.  So, if you need an attorney in San Fernando or Van Nuys, CA – you're out-of-state; you're in-state; you're in Los Angeles — wherever you are, pick up the phone.  Make the call.

Most of the time, I can get on the phone within a relatively short period.  You can break down the case for me; let me know what happened and why you think your loved one was arrested.  I will then put my resources, skills, and experience to work for you — to find out where your child is, what they're charged with, what the bail is, and what it will take to bring them home to you.

Sometimes, that's challenging.  Sometimes, they've committed grave crimes, and they need somebody who's been down the road that you're about to travel, who's had success, who knows what it takes to win, who knows what it takes to help a parent out from one parent to another.

Suppose you need help; if your child's in trouble, pick up the phone and call Ron Hedding.  I've been doing this for a considerable amount of time.  I know what it takes to get the result you're looking for.  I know what it takes to help your child. I know what it takes to get your child out of the criminal justice system as quickly as possible, and bet your bottom dollar that they're wrapped up in a callous bureaucracy with seasoned prosecutors and used to dealing with individuals who commit crimes.

With over a thousand prosecutors in Los Angeles, when your son or daughter is in trouble, you'll need somebody who can fight back to get their version of events across to the prosecutor and the judge. They can get the good things about them out there — character letters, people who know them that have a job, and let the prosecutor know what's going on with that person, why they find themselves in this position, and set up a game plan moving forward.

That's the crucial thing — figure out what it will take to solve this problem.  Get your child out of custody.  Get your child back in a position where they can lead a good life, back to you, back to their loved ones — get them out of harm's way. Get them out of the bureaucracy that sometimes poses a problem.

How to Get the Best Result in a Juvenile Criminal Case?

Those people whose children are charged with juvenile criminal matters in Los Angeles are trying to figure out the best way to handle them.  It's not easy. As a parent, you're not used to dealing with such things, so the first move you have to make is to hire a seasoned juvenile criminal defense attorney.

I've been doing this for 30 years now.  I've worked for the district attorney's office.  I've also worked for a superior court judge and defended juvenile cases since the early 1990s. To achieve the best result, we must consider the nature of the charge, the severity of the offense, and the most effective approach to handling the case.

One option is to go to trial, but if you choose to do so, you must appear in front of a judge.  There are no juries for juveniles. 

Sometimes, these judges are jaded, and it's not easy to win a juvenile case, but if you've got a good defense attorney. So you and your attorney talk about the judge's tendencies and the type of case we're talking about, and you're going to be in a much better position to get a result that your son or daughter can live with.

How Well Is the Juvenile Doing in School?

The next factor that helps in juvenile cases is a person's academic performance.  The reason for this is that the courts and the prosecutor believe that if someone can maintain at least a C average, attend school regularly, and avoid trouble, they may be someone they could give a chance in a juvenile case, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

If, on the other hand, the person has committed a violent felony, doesn't go to school, is in a gang, or is dangerous, that will be a different way to look at these cases.

The 730 Evaluation

What I like to do is get what's called a 730 evaluation in a lot of these cases, which:

• Evaluate the person,
• Look at their school record,
• Examine the mental health issues, if any exist.

It establishes a plan tailored to this particular minor, which I can often utilize to achieve the best result in your specific case.  So, the 730 evaluation is something we coordinate. We use an excellent psychologist or psychiatrist to provide the report.  It's a way of getting mitigating information about your son or daughter. 

Of course, we will also look at their criminal record. Hopefully, they have none, and we will examine what type of crime they're involved in. However, the worse the crime, the more difficult it is to deal with the case.

Game Plan

Setting up a game plan involves strategizing the best approach to your child's case. This includes understanding the charges, gathering evidence, and preparing for court proceedings.

For the best results, we recommend that you come in.  We review everything and establish a game plan to ensure your child achieves the best possible outcome. So, if you or a loved one has a juvenile case, you need the best attorney, which I think you do. You've come to the right place.  Pick up the phone now.  Set up a meeting with Ron Hedding. 

We're going to go over all the potential outcomes step by step. For example, the person may be able to return home on probation or receive a diversion resolution that results in no criminal record. 

They could have their matter sealed and destroyed, so there would be no arrest record or contact with the police. Then, of course, they could end up in camp.  They could end up in a juvenile prison. A wide range of outcomes could occur, depending on the type of case and its specific circumstances. Pick up the phone now and set up a meeting with Ron Hedding.  I stand at the ready to help you.