Lassen County District Attorney stated that a petition filed in court alleging a juvenile offender had committed forcible rape in violation of Penal Code section 261(a)(2) was sustained this week after a multi-day contested hearing.
We thank the reporting survivor, quite notably, for their courage in coming forward, actively participating in the investigation and prosecution, and their patience.
The rape was reported, timely, nearly a year ago and biological samples were collected in October 2025. Those samples were sent to DOJ for analysis and in February 2026 the results were recieved back indicating the juvenile suspect was the contributor of the samples. The case was submitted to our office for filing in March 2026 and the charging document was issued shortly thereafter. We mention the timeline as a reminder that investigations such as these, when forensics are involved, take time. This case took four months to have the biological samples analyzed and reports finalized. From the outside, it can often look like a case is at a standstill when in reality, we are waiting for important evidence before moving a case forward.
California is an “affirmative consent” state and the law requires clear, voluntary, and ongoing agreement for any sexual activity, with no assumption of consent from passive behavior or prior relationships.
Juvenile offenders accused of crimes do not have criminal complaints filed against them; they have petitions filed that list the crimes they are alleged to have committed. They do not have the right to a trial by jury, but do have the right to contest the charges at hearing before a judge. The judge does not make a “guilty” or “not guilty” finding, only whether or not the evidence was presented, beyond a reasonable doubt, to “sustain” the allegations in the petition. The standard of proof is the same as for adults.
In 2021, the Legislature passed SB 823, which eliminated the requirement to register as a sex offender for juveniles who have committed sex crimes. So while this offender will not have to register as a sex offender; the rape adjudication is both a serious and violent felony under the law and therefore may be used as a “strike” enhancement should they reoffend in adulthood.
The case was submitted by the Susanville Police Department, prosecuted by ADA Jim Jordan, and supported by Lassen County Victim Witness.
