Juvenile Probation
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q. Where are the Juvenile Probation Offices located?
| Lompoc |
Santa Maria |
Santa Barbara |
| 415 E. Cypress Street |
2121 S. Centerpointe Parkway |
4500 Hollister Ave. |
| Lompoc, Ca. 93436 |
Santa Maria, Ca. 93455 |
Santa Barbara, Ca. 93110 |
| (805)737-7800 |
(805)739-8500 |
(805)692-4840 |
Q. What is Juvenile Probation?
Juvenile Probation serves the Court by providing investigation, referral, and supervision services to youth referred by law enforcement to the Juvenile Court. The goal of the juvenile system is rehabilitation. There are several types of Juvenile Probation. Some cases referred to Juvenile Probation for minor, first time offenses, will be referred to other agencies to provide intervention services, such as the Teen Court program. As a part of juvenile probation, there are informal grants of probation with definitive termination dates, provided all terms and conditions are met. There are also indeterminate terms, with completion being based on overall compliance and rehabilitation. The type of Probation appropriate for your child will be based on a number of factors including prior history, family dynamics, school performance and behavior, and community protection.
Q. What does "search and seizure" mean?
This is a condition of probation that can be ordered by the Court. This condition allows probation or any law enforcement officer to search a defendant’s person or personal property, as described in the court order, without first obtaining a search warrant. If contraband is found, it can be seized and used as evidence in a probation violation or new law violation. A violation can also result if a defendant who has been ordered by the court to ‘submit to search and seizure’ refuses to allow the search of his or her property.
Q. If a juvenile is convicted of a felony, does he/she need to report that on job applications?
Juveniles are “adjudicated,” not convicted, and therefore do not have to report “convictions.” Juveniles tried as adults are required to report convictions.
Q. Can I find out who is on probation?
Juvenile Probation matters are confidential, though victims will be provided with relevant information.
Q. What do I do if my child runs away?
Contact your local law enforcement agency. Probation receives referrals directly from law enforcement and will process them when received.
Q. What do I do if my child refuses to attend school?
Contact the school. The school has mechanisms in place to address truancy issues and may subsequently refer the case to Probation.
Q. What do I do if my child is beyond my control?
Contact your local law enforcement agency. 211 and SAFETY 1-888-334-2777 are other resources that may be of assistance, depending on the circumstances involved. Probation requires a referral from law enforcement to process a case, and may therefore become involved at a future point in the matter.
JUVENILE INTAKE AND INVESTIGATION — MINORS WHO ARE NOT ON PROBATION
Q. My child was cited for a criminal offense. What happens next?
Law enforcement will submit the appropriate supporting documents regarding the citation to Probation. Probation will investigate the matter and can decide to handle the matter informally or, if necessary, bring the child before the Court. In both instances, you and your child will be notified. You will also be notified if you are required to appear in Court.
Q. My child was arrested and is now in custody. What happens next?
Probation will submit the law enforcement report and supporting documents that brought the child into custody to the District Attorney (DA). The DA will then decide whether or not to file a petition against your child. If a petition is not filed, your child will be released immediately to the custody of parent/guardian; otherwise a hearing will be held within 2-3 Court days (within 48-72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays) regarding the allegations against your child. The parent/guardian will be notified as soon as a Court time and date are set. The Court hearing will determine if continued detention is necessary, and the Court may then request Probation to conduct an investigation and provide a recommendation as to the disposition of your child’s case.
Q. Can I get a copy of a probation report?
Juvenile Probation does not provide copies of reports; however, assigned attorneys are provided a copy of the report, and may share the information with their clients.
Q. Who is doing the investigation on my case?
When referrals from law enforcement are received by the Juvenile Probation office, they are processed by an Intake Officer. Depending on the circumstances involved, the case may be referred to another agency, processed within the Probation Department, or referred to Juvenile Court. If the matter is processed in Juvenile Court, and the Court orders the Probation Department to complete a report, an Investigating Deputy Probation Officer will be assigned. Once that investigation is complete, and the Court places a minor on Probation, a Field Supervision Deputy Probation Officer will be assigned. This Officer will monitor the case and the minor’s compliance with his/her terms and conditions of Probation, including, but not limited to, school attendance, program/counseling attendance, and drug testing if applicable.
Q. What do I need to bring for my interview/appointment with a Juvenile Deputy Probation Officer?
Please bring the following items to your interview:
- Juvenile Worksheet - you will be provided this in person, in Court, or by mail
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status if applicable
- Any pertinent information from schools, therapists, or other relevant sources
FIELD SUPERVISION QUESTIONS — MINORS WHO ARE ON PROBATION
Q. What do I do if my child runs away?
Contact your local law enforcement agency, then notify the Deputy Probation Officer (DPO). If your child is a ward of the Court, the DPO may file a petition alleging the child has violated Probation terms and conditions and request that a warrant be issued for the child’s arrest. The DPO may also have the discretion to handle the matter informally, given the child has returned home or his/her whereabouts are known, and refer the child and the parents to appropriate agencies for services.
Q. What do I do if my child won't attend school?
A child who is habitually truant may be brought before the Court. If a child is a ward of the Court, the child can be ordered by the Court to attend the Counseling and Education Center and/or can be ordered to participate in alternative detention programs.
Q. What is a "suspended sentence"?
In certain cases the Court orders a minor to serve time in juvenile hall or camp and then suspends that sentence on the condition that the minor successfully complete probation. If your child is successful on probation, they will not have to serve the suspended sentence. If your child violates probation, the suspended sentence can be imposed.
Q. How do I find out who my Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) is?
Upon being placed on Probation, the case will be assigned to the appropriate Deputy Probation Officer for supervision. Within a few weeks of being placed on Probation, you will be notified by phone, or by appointment letter, to notify you that an appointment has been set with the assigned Deputy Probation Officer
Q. How long does probation last?
Juvenile Probation typically lasts no less than 6 months, and in some instances does not have a specified end date. Completion of Juvenile Probation is based on compliance and completion of certain requirements. The Juvenile Court can maintain jurisdiction over juveniles until age 21
Q. Will my employer be notified?
Though Juvenile Probation matters are confidential for the most part, it depends on the specifics of your case. You should discuss this with your assigned Deputy Probation Officer at your scheduled visit.
Q. Can a minor live in a different county while being supervised on probation?
If the parents of a juvenile plan to move to a new county, the proposed move needs to be discussed with the Deputy Probation Officer. While on Juvenile Probation he/she may either be asked to report by mail, report to an officer in the other county for “courtesy supervision,” or the case may be formally transferred by the Court. Specifics are determined on a case-by-case basis, and will need to be discussed with the assigned Deputy Probation Officer.
Q. Can I get an early tremination from probation?
In some cases, review dates are set to determine if termination of Probation is appropriate. Under certain circumstances these dates may be advanced; however, ultimately the Judge will decide when cases terminate.
Q. How do we sign up for or pay for counseling for Juvenile Probation cases?
Referrals will be provided by Juvenile Probation to other agencies. There are a variety of options available, and many programs offer both a sliding fee scale and payment plan options.
COUNSELING AND EDUCATION CENTER (CEC)
Q. How long will my child be at this school?
Your child must attend the CEC until they have “earned” 100 days. Your child must be on time and in attendance to earn days. Should the child experiences disciplinary problems in class, they may not earn their day, and even though they are at school that day, they will not receive credit if their behavior is poor.
Q. Does the CEC cost me money?
Yes. The cost, however, is a fraction of the cost of custody, Camp, or Placement.
Q. Can my child be arrested at this school?
Yes. This is a Court-ordered program and if your son or daughter is a 602 Ward, he or she can be arrested for a significant violation ofo the shcool rules, or ongoing non-compliance with probation terms and conditions.
Q. What are the school rules?
Once a space becomes available, you will be requested to attend an orientation that will cover the program guidelines along with rules and regulations.
Q. Is my child earning school credits?
Yes. Your child can earn the same amount of credits as if he/she were at a regular school.
Q. Will my child receive special education services?
The CEC has a full-time resource teacher and supports all classifications of learning disorders.
RECORD SEALINGQ. How do I seal my record?
Upon completing the requirements as verified by Probation, instructions on sealing are provided. The process involves picking up a sealing packet from the Juvenile Probation office, completing required fields, and returning the paperwork with a valid photo identification card. Applications are processed and forwarded to Juvenile Court for review.