If your child is arrested

Intake

A Deputy Probation Officer from the Investigation Unit will meet with you and your child to discuss information received in a police report alleging that your child committed a crime. The meeting will take place at the Juvenile Justice. The Officer will need to discuss all major factors in your child’s life, including school, mental health, and alcohol and drug use history. They will then determine whether your child’s case may be handled informally or if the police report will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

In cases where your child is in custody in Juvenile Hall, the Deputy Probation Officer will make a decision regarding possibly releasing your child from custody and whether your child would benefit from an alcohol and drug evaluation or a mental health evaluation.

What to Bring

Please bring a photo identification and your child’s social security card and birth certificate to this appointment. It is also helpful if you bring the names and birth dates of everyone living in your home, whether they are related to you or not.

What We Ask

You are going to be asked to share information regarding your child including their performance in school, in the home, and in the community. You will be asked about your child’s strengths and any areas of concern you may have. The more truthful and helpful you are, the better we will be able to assess the situation and provide the appropriate intervention and support.

We will be asking you to sign release of information forms so that we can obtain verification of school and/or counseling program attendance and performance.

Hearings

Detention Hearing

The first court appearance for a youth who has been arrested and detained. The purpose of this hearing is for the court to decide whether or not the youth is to remain in custody. This hearing must occur prior to the expiration of the next judicial day after the filing of a Juvenile Court Petition. The outcome is ultimately the decision of the judge. The youth could be detained, released forthwith or released on the Home Detention Program with electronic monitoring. Also occurring at this hearing is the appointment of defense counsel and the entering of admission or denial to the allegations.

Jurisdictional Hearing

Also known as a prehearing. The first court appearance for a youth who is not detained. The court makes a determination that a youth comes under its jurisdiction based on age, legal residence and the alleged offense. Defense counsel is appointed and an admission or denial to the allegation(s) occurs. The court may order a Dispositional Report from the probation department and may make certain restrictions which will be noted on the Minute Order, such as no contact with victim, co-participants, etc. There may be additional court dates for your child to attend. These dates allow the court to be notified as to the status of the youth and their performance on probation.

Contested Jurisdictional Hearing

A trial; also known as a Juris. Youth are not entitled to jury trials, therefore, a judge or commissioner will hear all trials in juvenile court. The standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dispositional Hearing

Essentially the same as sentencing in adult court. Prior to disposition, the probation officer conducts an investigation and then submits a report to the court. The report includes circumstances of the offense, restitution, the youth’s statement, school information, statements of parents and other interested parties, and the probation officer’s evaluation or assessment of the youth. The report concludes with a recommendation to the court for a proposed disposition.

Review Hearing

A future hearing to review the progress of the youth under probation supervision. The parent / guardian and the youth are usually required to be present during the hearing.