Opinion ID: 1148653
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Relief by Application for Extraordinary Writ

Text: The conclusion that there is no statutory provision for appellate review of a certification order does not end our inquiry. There is the further question whether a superior court is properly vested with jurisdiction to try a minor on a criminal charge when the order of certification on which the court relies for its jurisdiction to try the accused (see People v. Sanchez, supra, 21 Cal.2d 466, 471) is in fact invalid. Such lack of jurisdiction has been asserted to invalidate an ensuing judgment of conviction. ( People v. Joe T. (1975) 48 Cal. App.3d 114, 121 [121 Cal. Rptr. 329].) The jurisdictional problem is akin to that resulting from a defective commitment which, if subjected to a timely and proper attack, is deemed to fail to confer jurisdiction on the superior court to entertain criminal proceedings. ( People v. Elliot (1960) 54 Cal.2d 498, 503 [6 Cal. Rptr. 753, 354 P.2d 225].) In such an instance, however, the commitment is only voidable ( id. ) and unless voided by a proper and timely attack the court is not divested of jurisdiction to proceed against the accused. (6a) We deem the problem resulting from a defective order of certification by a juvenile court to pose a similar jurisdictional bar which may be similarly hurdled if the defect is not properly and timely challenged. The right to assert such a challenge to an order of certification, which order purports to confer on the superior court the right to take personal jurisdiction over a juvenile, may be estopped or lost by waiver (see In re Application of Tassey (1927) 81 Cal. App. 287, 292-293 [253 P. 948]) when, as here, no public policy is offended (cf. In re Griffin (1967) 67 Cal.2d 343, 346-348 [62 Cal. Rptr. 1, 431 P.2d 625]; People v. Perez (1961) 198 Cal. App.2d 460, 464-465 [18 Cal. Rptr. 164]). For reasons which follow, the jurisdictional defect in the instant case, if any, was not timely or properly asserted, and the court was not divested of jurisdiction to try defendant on the criminal charges. Our courts have long recognized the extraordinary writs of mandamus and/or prohibition as providing an avenue for immediate review of a juvenile court finding of unfitness and certification order. (See Donald L. v. Superior Court, supra, 7 Cal.3d 592, 595; Bryan v. Superior Court (1972) 7 Cal.3d 575, 577 [102 Cal. Rptr. 831, 498 P.2d 1079]; Alfred B. v. Superior Court (1970) 3 Cal.3d 718, 719 [91 Cal. Rptr. 605, 478 P.2d 37]; Jimmy H. v. Superior Court (1970) 3 Cal.3d 709, 713 [91 Cal. Rptr. 600, 478 P.2d 32]; Juan T. v. Superior Court (1975) 49 Cal. App.3d 207, 208 [122 Cal. Rptr. 405].) As previously stated a timely review occasioned by an immediate application for extraordinary writ in a proper case may spare a minor the burden of an unnecessary trial and thus promote justice and judicial economy. It also assures that, if warranted, reconsideration by the juvenile court will be made on timely information without the need for updated reports and affidavits. (3b) We conclude for the foregoing reasons that a certification order may normally be challenged only by extraordinary writ in collateral proceedings commenced prior to the commencement of the trial on those charges for which the defendant is certified as unfit for treatment within juvenile court facilities. [11] (6b) A defendant who fails to avail himself of such a timely review will be deemed to have waived any challenge to the propriety of the certification.