2.  Over the course of his 25 years in the legal profession,
Mark Edward Powers has represented both adult and
juvenile offenders. Mark Edward Powers now runs his
own private practice criminal and juvenile defense
firm in Santa Maria, California. Among the wide
variety of cases he handles, he regularly represents
juvenile clients accused of alcohol and drug related
offenses.
According to California's 2011 crime statistics, more
than 10 percent of all juvenile felony adjudications
and approximately 20 percent of all juvenile
misdemeanor adjudications involved drug related
charges.

3.  These charges can have serious consequences for
minors. Juvenile drug offenders may receive
sanctions ranging from drug diversion counseling
classes and Drug Court programs to Wardship and
custodial detention. Other possible collateral
consequences include loss of driver licenses,
educational, athletic, or military enlistment privileges.
Repeat offenders and those who engage in violent
crimes are most likely to receive the more severe
sanctions.
First time drug offenders may be eligible for diversion
counseling programs. Some diversion programs are
handled through the Probation Department without
a formal court appearance.

4.  Other forms of diversion require court
appearances. Diversion programs typically
consist of counseling sessions and
community work service. When a minor
successfully completes a court ordered
diversion program, the pending charge is
dismissed. If, however, the minor fails to
complete a diversion program, he may
face additional sanctions including
Wardship and custodial detention.

5.  If a youth is adjudicated a ward of the
court, he may be released to the care of
his parents or legal guardian, or he may
be placed in a juvenile detention facility,
foster care, or a group home. Juvenile
offender Wardship is similar in some ways
to adult probation. The court can impose
a wide variety of conditions including
cusodial detention, counseling,
restitution, fines,and community service.