Juvenile Delinquency Evaluations (WIC 602)
Juvenile delinquency evaluations under Welfare and Institutions Code section 602 call for more than a standard psychological workup. Because the goal of the juvenile system is rehabilitation, not just disposition, these evaluations need to give the court a full picture of the youth — their background, development, and treatment needs — so that the outcome actually serves the minor and the community.
What This Evaluation Addresses
A WIC 602 evaluation provides the court with a thorough review of the minor's background and the salient factors relevant to disposition, along with a diagnosis where clinically appropriate and specific, actionable treatment recommendations. Because these evaluations directly inform placement and rehabilitation planning, the analysis is grounded in an understanding of youth development — recognizing that adolescents are not simply smaller adults, and that their behavior, judgment, and capacity for change need to be evaluated against developmentally appropriate benchmarks.
Trauma history is a central consideration in nearly every juvenile delinquency evaluation. Many youth in the delinquency system have experienced significant trauma, and understanding how that history connects to the presenting behavior is often essential to both the diagnostic picture and the treatment recommendations. Family dynamics are given similar weight, since a minor's home environment, relationships, and support system directly shape both risk and the realistic likelihood that a given treatment plan will succeed.
Who I Work With
I accept referrals from both defense counsel and prosecutors, as well as court appointments, across California.
A Collaborative Approach
Juvenile delinquency evaluations are rarely a purely adversarial process. Because the shared goal is the minor's rehabilitation, I take a collaborative approach that often involves working directly with juvenile probation and the juvenile court, in addition to referring counsel, to make sure the evaluation is genuinely useful for the disposition and treatment planning process — not just responsive to a single referral question.
The Evaluation Process
Each evaluation includes a thorough review of relevant records (school records, prior mental health and treatment history, prior court and probation records, and any prior evaluations), a clinical interview with the minor, psychological testing where appropriate, and a malingering assessment where indicated. Collateral interviews — often including family members, and sometimes school or probation contacts — are conducted when they would meaningfully inform the opinion. These evaluations typically take 2–3 weeks to complete.
What You Receive
A thorough, well-organized written report addressing background, salient factors, diagnosis where appropriate, and treatment recommendations
Availability for pre-report consultation to clarify the referral question or case context
Testimony if the matter proceeds to a contested disposition hearing
Rebuttal review of an opposing expert's evaluation, when appropriate
Why Attorneys Work With Me
I have years of experience conducting WIC 602 evaluations and have been qualified as an expert witness in California courts. My work within the Sexual Behavior Treatment Program at the California Youth Authority gave me direct, sustained experience with justice-involved youth, which continues to inform how I approach juvenile development, treatment needs, and rehabilitation potential across the full range of delinquency matters. Learn more about my background →
If you have a juvenile client facing a delinquency matter, I'm glad to discuss the referral before you commit to a full evaluation — feel free to reach out to talk through the specifics.
Curious what other attorneys say about working with me? Read my Google reviews →