600 Sexual Assault Cases Involving Juveniles in LA County
The number of sexual assault cases filed against LA County continues to rise. In June 2023, juvenile victims through their attorneys filed their fourth complaint this year, alleging sexual abuse of minors in custody. When minors are accused or convicted of crimes, they suffer the risk of this abuse in juvenile halls and jails.
If your child has been accused of a crime and is in custody at any juvenile facility, you should retain a private criminal defense law firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can aggressively defend your child and attempt to achieve the best result possible so that you never have to worry about your child suffering in such a facility. In addition, when we represent a minor, we care about their welfare and will do all that we can to convince the judge to allow your child to await trial from home rather than in custody. Even if the court refuses, we will stay in touch with our client to ensure that he is not being abused in any way while in custody.
To date, over 600 juvenile clients have sexual assault cases against LA County. The anonymous victims allege that officers and county officers were able to abuse them because the officers were inadequately trained and allowed to operate without any direct supervision. Additionally, the officers made the victims believe that nobody would take their word over the words of an authority figure. These claims span over five decades, ranging from the 1970s to the present. According to one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, this systemic issue has been present for decades and across many counties.
In their complaint, the victims claimed that they suffered terrible acts of sexual abuse, ranging from groping to sodomy to rape. The victims felt that they were unable to report the abuse as they faced threats, intimidation, and retaliation. Furthermore, even when they did report the abuse, nothing was done about it. Although the county should have been aware of what was happening and taken action, they instead failed these kids. As such, the plaintiffs are seeking to hold LA County vicariously liable for the actions of their employees.
Although nothing will fully remedy the abuse that these kids suffered while in custody, the victims are seeking damages that will at least in part begin to right the wrongs. For one, the plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages to help them rebuild their lives and get the rehabilitation they need. In addition, they seek relief to prevent such harms from happening to future juveniles in the criminal system. This includes measures to increase accountability in juvenile halls, such as more cameras and better trained staff to protect the children. Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction for fixing a system that has been broken for far too long.
Contact Wallin & Klarich Today
If your child has been accused of a crime, contact Wallin & Klarich as soon as possible to see how we can help your child avoid abuse while in custody. At Wallin & Klarich, we stay up to date with the most recent legal developments so that we can better assist you. With 40+ years of experience, our attorneys have helped many juvenile clients win their cases or successfully reduce their sentences, and we have the skills and resources to help you and your loved one in your time of need.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Torrance, West Covina, Los Angeles, and San Diego, you are sure to find an available and convenient attorney near you.
Discover how our team can assist you. Contact us today, toll-free at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free consultation with a skilled defense attorney. We will be there when you call.
