Juvenile Court Services

Juvenile Intake
Minors are referred to the Department on an "in custody" or "non-custody" basis.  Most referrals are made by local law enforcement agencies as the result of a law violation.  A small number are made by parents or by the schools.  A "602" referral is for a criminal offense, whereas a "60l" referral is for a "status" offense such as being beyond parental control, runaway, or truancy.  These 601 and 602 designations refer to sections of the Juvenile Court Law in the Welfare and Institutions Code. Referrals are also received for youth who commit infractions and violate local ordinances, such as curfew and skateboarding violations. 

A non-custody minor's first contact with the Department will be with an Intake Officer; the document that brings a juvenile offender to the Department’s attention is called a “Juvenile Referral” and usually has some type of arrest report or some type of supporting document.  It is submitted by law enforcement or the referring party, describes the conduct or law violation and requests that the Department investigate the matter and, if necessary, brings the minor before the Juvenile Court.  To provide additional pertinent information for the disposition of a case, Assets and Risk Assessments are completed to determine the most appropriate level of intervention and to identify services that will assist the minor and family.  The majority of first time offenders’ cases are resolved through a variety of diversion programs offered countywide, or are placed on informal probation without impacting the Court system.  For those youth requiring a higher level of supervision, comprehensive case plans are developed in order to track a the minor’s progress.  Minors with “602” offenses that carry confinement time may be detained in Juvenile Hall prior to, during, or subsequent to a Court hearing or disposition of their case.

The law governs the time periods within which the intake officer's decision must be made and court hearings are conducted.  Every minor is advised of his/her rights (e.g., the right to an attorney and to be fully advised of all procedures to follow).  Every minor has the right to deny the charges and have a court hearing. 

Juvenile Investigation
After a petition has been filed, the Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) at the request of the Court conducts an investigation into the minor’s eligibility and suitability for informal probation or deferred entry of judgment handling.  If informal probation is not an option, a hearing is held to determine whether the allegations are true or untrue.  If the charges are found true, the Court will order the DPO to conduct an investigation to provide detailed objective information regarding the alleged offense, the minor's family, educational and social background, prior offenses, victim's statement, and restitution amounts.  The DPO will make a recommendation regarding the disposition of the case and whether a minor should be placed on formal probation based on the information obtained.  In cases where out-of-home placement is a consideration, the DPO will present the case to the Multi-agency Placement Review Committee for discussion and recommendation.

Minors 16 years and older may be remanded to adult court for disposition if they meet certain criteria, and are charged with specific violent felony offenses. In these cases, the DPO prepares a fitness report with a recommendation concerning treating the minor as a juvenile or as an adult. Under California Proposition 21, the District Attorney’s office will determine if minors 14 years of age and older may be remanded to adult court if charged with specific felony offenses.