In re Melvin Z.
Minor appeals from the judgment entered after the juvenile court declared him a delinquent ward (Welf. & Inst. Code, 602) based on (1) its finding after a contested hearing that he had committed a lewd act on a child under 14 years old, and (2) his admissions pursuant to a negotiated disposition that he had unlawfully taken a vehicle (a felony) and dissuaded a witness from reporting a crime (a misdemeanor). (Pen. Code, 288, subd. (a); 136.1, subd. (b)(1); Veh. Code, 10851, subd. (a); all further undesignated section references are to the Pen. Code.) As agreed, the court set Melvins maximum confinement time at 9 years and ordered him suitably placed.
Melvin, who was 13 years and 10 months old when he committed the lewd act, contends that the court erred in failing to make an express finding pursuant to section 26 and In re Gladys R. (1970) 1 Cal.3d 855, 858, 862-867 that he understood the wrongfulness of his conduct when he committed the proscribed act, and that substantial evidence does not support the implied finding. Court reject the contention and affirm the judgment (order of wardship).
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