Ten years ago, at 16 years old I made a mistake that could have ended my chances to have a life.
After my sister and niece were tragically killed in an arson fire, my mother was unable to take care of me and my siblings. I ended up moving to Los Angeles in my early teens, and soon began hanging with gang members I met in Jesse Owens Park. The reason teens become gang members is because of external forces. Sadly, my father was also a gang member – so my path was generational, so to speak.
At 16, I was one in a group of young men charged with being involved with a gang shooting where someone was murdered. We were sent to juvenile detention. My age should have allowed me to go to a juvenile facility, but I lost my transfer hearing and ended up spending three years at a men’s jail. I received no rehabilitation or counseling – not even an opportunity for continuing education.
In 2023, AB 2361 went into effect, raising the burden of proof for transfer of juveniles to the adult system to “clear and convincing evidence” and clarified the criteria. I was able to have another transfer hearing where the judge could determine whether I would benefit more from being in a juvenile system than being sent to prison. It’s safe to say that with my upbringing and background, I would’ve had no chance to receive any instruction or mentorship like what I got in juvenile jurisdiction. Sadly, I lost my mother within days of being transferred back to juvenile jurisdiction while awaiting my second transfer hearing.
I needed focus, guidance, and structure more than ever, and I got it there. I started seeing a mental health worker immediately. I also got my GED, became involved in Hoops4Justice, InsideOUT Writers creative writing program, and received many other subsequent beneficial opportunities. My second transfer hearing began at the end of 2025.
On the day of the judge’s decision, he gave me the unique opportunity to speak to the victim’s family and fully explain myself. It was the first time ever, in eight years of being in his courtroom, that I had the chance to apologize and express my true feelings about the regret of my actions and how I planned to change my life.
If AB1647 passes, it ensures that young people can speak freely during their transfer hearings without their words being used against them in subsequent juvenile or criminal (adult) proceedings. Many people in my situation are aware that what they did was wrong – but they are too young to be held in limbo by that one decision forever and need a voice in the system to be understood.
I would not have gotten the opportunity for another transfer hearing if the law did not change and I was sent to prison. I got the chance to speak in the courtroom – but if this bill fails, a judge may never fully understand the true circumstances that even landed someone in their courtroom in the first place.
Youth NEED to speak out, and we don’t have a place to do that when we are in court. This bill being named the Voice Act is literal – we need to speak to move forward, learn, and heal.
After being released last year, I am now building a life for myself. I just graduated from college, and am building a career advocating for others who were in my same situation. We need legislative officials to vote for this bill — because we may not be heard if it fails.
