Defense and character witnesses presented teen’s progress and rehabilitation
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, a San Francisco judge ruled that the teen who is accused of shooting and attempting to rob 49er Ricky Pearsall will remain in juvenile court. The decision comes after a week-long hearing, during which the District Attorney’s Office sought to transfer the teen to adult court for prosecution. The defense argued that this case did not meet the criteria for a transfer to adult court and called several character witnesses––including a Juvenile Probation Officer and teachers at Juvenile Hall––who testified to the young person’s progress and accomplishments since the incident in August 2024.
Deputy Public Defender Robert (Bob) Dunlap, who is representing the youth in juvenile court, issues the following statement:
“Our sincere sympathies continue to go out to Mr. Pearsall and his family for this tragic incident. We are all greatly relieved with the court’s ruling, which rejected the District Attorney’s attempt to try this child in adult court and subject him to state prison. State prison is not about redemption or rehabilitation. It is a system designed to warehouse people and perpetuate harm, rather than foster healing or justice, and it is used far too often in adult cases as it is. The law recognizes this and establishes high hurdles for the prosecution to clear in order to do this to a youth. I understand the District Attorney’s Office has concerns over the rehabilitation services currently on offer in the Juvenile Hall. If in fact there is a problem, the solution lies in improving the system, not sacrificing the child. Systems failure, if any, is not a failure by the youth, as the law makes clear.”
San Francisco’s elected Public Defender Mano Raju, issues the following statement:
“We have juvenile court for a reason, and I hope that today’s ruling serves as a reminder that every young person deserves a chance to access rehabilitation opportunities. With the support of his defense attorneys, social workers, and teachers, this young person has shown his ability and desire to get his life on a better track. The evidence in this hearing made clear that he has shown tremendous personal and academic growth, including attending college classes. We will do everything we can to help him.”
Background Information
In order for a juvenile case to be transferred to adult court in California, it must meet a number of criteria under CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 707. The court must consider five basic criteria when making a determination of the transfer:
1. The degree of criminal sophistication exhibited by the minor.
2. Whether the minor can be rehabilitated prior to the expiration of the juvenile court’s jurisdiction.
3. The minor’s prior delinquent history.
4. Success of previous attempts by the juvenile court to rehabilitate the minor.
5. The circumstances and gravity of the offense alleged.
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