California, Orange County
I am age 17. Received a citation for possession of marijuana less than ounce. Misdermeanor.
My court date is in a week and I have not received anything in the mail. Many friends have said they received 'informal diversion' juvenile probabtion notice in the mail before court. No one I have spoken to has actually had to go to court or officially charged. They all went to the probabtion center and did diversion before court. But I have not received anything.
Guess Im going to court.
My questions:
If anyone knows OC Juvenile Court. What happens at Juvenile court? Do I need an attorney? (parents cannot afford one) Is my chance to get diversion gone since no mail notice? Will I be offered a public defender before I have to plead guilty or not guilty? What are my chances if I just walk in and plead guilty, or not guilty, and take my chances?

