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Departments - Juvenile
This web site is designed to give you general information on juvenile issues. It is not a substitute for legal advice. Please be warned that court forms, laws and local rules change constantly. Though best efforts are made to keep this web site current, some of the information may be outdated. |
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Juvenile Court
The Court's Authority
Legal Help
Your right to an attorney
Free Publications for Juveniles and Families
Center for Families, Children & the Courts
Juvenile Court:
The Juvenile Court is a division of the Superior Court. It handles three types of cases: delinquency, status offense, and child abuse and neglect.
The Court's Authority
Legal Help
Your right to an attorney
Free Publications for Juveniles and Families
Center for Families, Children & the Courts
Juvenile Court:
The Juvenile Court is a division of the Superior Court. It handles three types of cases: delinquency, status offense, and child abuse and neglect.
Juvenile Delinquency:
These cases involve children who have committed law violations that, if committed by an adult, would be considered crimes.
These cases involve children who have committed law violations that, if committed by an adult, would be considered crimes.
Juvenile Status Offenses:
These offenses concern noncriminal behaviors that are illegal because of the child's age. These behaviors are not illegal for adults. For example, typical status offenses are truancy (cutting school) and running away from home.
These offenses concern noncriminal behaviors that are illegal because of the child's age. These behaviors are not illegal for adults. For example, typical status offenses are truancy (cutting school) and running away from home.
Child Abuse and Neglect:
Abuse and neglect cases concern family situations where allegations of abuse or neglect have been made, and the juvenile court intervenes to protect the family's children.
Abuse and neglect cases concern family situations where allegations of abuse or neglect have been made, and the juvenile court intervenes to protect the family's children.
The juvenile court has broad authority in juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. It can remove children from their homes, order their placement with relatives or in foster care or group homes, terminate parental rights, create new parental rights, and join various agencies to provide needed services. In delinquency cases, the juvenile court can also order children confined in locked facilities, such as detention halls, ranches, and the California Youth Authority.
Whenever the court decides to remove a child from his or her home, placement and responsibility for that child is given to a governmental agency. In delinquency and status offense cases, that agency is the probation department; in abuse and neglect cases, the agency is the county welfare department. The agency is responsible for meeting the health and educational needs of the child, as well as providing the care, treatment, and guidance the child may need.
Whenever the court decides to remove a child from his or her home, placement and responsibility for that child is given to a governmental agency. In delinquency and status offense cases, that agency is the probation department; in abuse and neglect cases, the agency is the county welfare department. The agency is responsible for meeting the health and educational needs of the child, as well as providing the care, treatment, and guidance the child may need.
Given that these decisions are so serious and affect fundamental rights, it is very important that if a juvenile case involves you or your child, you consult an attorney who can advise you more specifically about the court process as it relates to the case.
The child in a delinquency case has a right to an attorney; a parent in an abuse and neglect case has a right to an attorney; and if a child in an abuse and neglect case would benefit from appointment of an attorney, the court will appoint one.
Free Publications for Juveniles and Families:
For more general information about the juvenile court process, please consult the Judicial Council's informational brochures on juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency. They are available free from www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms or by calling the Publications Hotline at 800-900-5980.
Judicial Council Brochures:
Judicial Council Brochures:
Information for Parents: Juvenile Dependency
Dependency Court: How It Works
Information for Parents: Juvenile Court
Special Education Rights of Children in Care
Center for Families, Children & the Courts:
The Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts' Center for Families, Children & the Courts was established to maximize the effectiveness of court services for children and families, implement innovative court-related programs for them, and promote those services in the legal community and to the public. Visit the Center's Web site at: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/cfcc/
© 2004 - Superior Court of California