A Fresno County judge ruled Friday that the accused getaway driver in the killing of Clovis teen Caleb Quick will be tried in juvenile court, a decision that drew disappointment from the victim’s family and renewed criticism of California’s juvenile justice laws.

The ruling came after weeks of transfer hearings in Fresno County Superior Court, where prosecutors argued the now-17-year-old should be tried as an adult. The prosecution has 20 days to appeal the decision.

Stephen Quick, Caleb Quick’s father, said he was “not surprised, but still disappointed” by the outcome.

“What it means for her is that she could be out in a few short years without any felonies,” Quick told reporters after the hearing. “She was very much a part of it, part of the planning, the execution.”

Quick said the judge acknowledged the accused getaway driver’s sophistication and involvement in the crime, but ultimately determined she could be rehabilitated in the juvenile system.

California’s Proposition 57

Under California law and Proposition 57, which forces a transfer hearing to determine whether a minor should be tried as an adult, judges must weigh several factors when deciding whether a juvenile defendant should be transferred to adult court, including criminal sophistication, culpability, and the possibility of rehabilitation.

Quick criticized the state’s emphasis on rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.

“We keep hearing rehabilitation, rehabilitation, rehabilitation, almost to the fact that we don’t care about the victims at all in this case,” he said.

The father of the slain teen also expressed concern about the potential sentence the accused getaway driver could face in juvenile court.

“At this point, it’s just, when is she gonna get out in six months?” Quick said. “And then, no felonies, no misdemeanors. So she can go on, like nothing happened. Like this did not occur.”

During the hearing, Quick said he believed prosecutors presented strong arguments supporting a transfer to adult court, particularly regarding the accused getaway driver’s alleged planning and participation in the crime.

Calls to Change Proposition 57

He also called for changes to Proposition 57 and California’s juvenile justice laws.

“We gotta get that law changed because kids that do this — especially for first-time offenders — pretty much doesn’t matter what they do … they’re going to be in a rehabilitative state,” Quick said.

Quick said he remains concerned about another pending transfer hearing involving the alleged shooter, who is also a juvenile, in the case.

Despite the court decision, Quick said he continues to focus on preserving his son’s memory.

“I hold on to the fact that he was a great kid,” Quick said. “He had a bright future ahead of him, Air Force, wanted to be a pilot. Love for everyone, love for his church, love for his family.”

 

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