In re Efren S.
Following a contested jurisdictional hearing, the County of Sonoma juvenile court found that appellant Efren S. committed an act of vandalism (count 2) and attempted to dissuade a witness in furtherance of a conspiracy and by use of force (counts 3 and 6, respectively). On appeal, appellant alleges three errors: (1) the sustained counts of attempting to dissuade a witness were unsupported by substantial evidence; (2) the juvenile court and prosecutor improperly shifted the burden of proof to the defense; and (3) the prosecutor committed misconduct. For the reasons set forth below, Court agree that the witness intimidation findings were unsupported by substantial evidence, but Court reject appellants remaining arguments as meritless. Accordingly, Court reverse the juvenile courts findings on counts 3 and 6, and affirm on count 2.
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