PETITION DISMISSED

Charges are not proved. Case is dismissed.

 

Places to BE

Things to DO

When a youth under the age if 18 is accused of violating (breaking) the law.

This chart does not apply to juveniles who receive a traffic infraction. Examples of an infraction are not wearing a seat belt or running a stop sign.

 

 

 

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Text Box: LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACT The youth’s actions come to the attention of law enforcement. If law enforcement decides there is sufficient evidence of a violation, the youth will receive a citation OR will be taken into custody and booked into the Juvenile Hall. Text Box: YOUTH OUT OF CUSTODY The youth is cited and released to parent’s home on a written promise to appear. Within three (3) to six (6) weeks, parents will get a letter telling them IF and WHEN the youth will have an Informal Hearing OR if a Petition will be filed and they will need to appear in Court. Text Box: CHARGES DISMISSED Probation Department chooses not to request a Petition be filed against the youth. The charges are dismissed. No further action is taken.

PETITION SUSTAINED

Charges are found to be true. Case continues.

 

DISPOSITIONAL HEARING

It will be decided at this hearing if the youth will be made a “Ward of the Court.” This is when the Court (and not the parents) will manage the custody, care and control of the youth. It will be decided if the

youth will stay at home or be placed outside the home. At this hearing, the youth will also be given conditions of wardship, learn where he/she will live, and what services are offered to help him/her.

 

 
Text Box: YOUTH ADMITS TO CHARGES Text Box: YOUTH CONTESTS THE CHARGES

SIX (6) MONTH REVIEW HEARING

The Court looks at what progress the youth and parents have made and, if needed, makes changes in what services the youth receives. Reunification (getting your family back together) may take place when the youth completes the conditions of probation and is ready to return to his/her family. The youth will return to Court for a review hearing every six (6) months until the matter is dismissed.

 

 

CONTESTED JURISDICTIONAL HEARING

This hearing is similar to a trial. Both sides (the youth’s attorney and the District Attorney) may present evidence

and call witnesses. The Judge will make a final decision as to whether or not the charges are true.

15 DAY REVIEW HEARING

When the youth is placed in out-of-home custody, the Court will review the case every 15 days until the youth is placed, to make sure the youth is

in the proper living arrangement.

PLANNED. PERMANENT LIVING ARRANGEMENT

The youth will be placed in a foster family home, group home, relatives home, or transitional housing facility.
Text Box: LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP The youth will be placed with legal guardians. This may or may not be relatives.

ADOPTION

Your parental rights will be

terminated (ended) and

another family will be allowed to adopt your child.

Symbol Key

 

Explanation on

reverse side

 

 

Attorney

 

 

 

Law Enforcement

 

Judge – Court

hearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMAL HEARING

There will be an Informal

Hearing at the Probation Department to see if informal probation is appropriate for the youth. You MUST attend this hearing.
Text Box: CHARGES SUSPENDED (Abeyance) If the youth has no further contact with law enforcement, he or she may be given a warning for six (6) months. After that time, the charges may be dismissed. Text Box: CHARGES DISMISSED At the Informal Hearing the youth may be reprimanded and charges dismissed. No further action is taken.

INFORMAL PROBATION

When the youth is placed on Informal Probation, he/she will be given specific tasks that must be finished by a set deadline. Informal Probation may last for up to six (6) months. If the youth does not complete the required tasks, the Probation Department may request that a Petition be filed. If the youth completes the tasks, the informal case may be dismissed.

Text Box: YOUTH IS DETAINED Youth is detained (held) by law enforcement and booked into Juvenile Hall. Law enforcement will let parents know that the youth is being held. A Probation Officer will tell parents the date of the first hearing and IF and WHEN they can pick up the Text Box: DISMISSED Youth is given credit for time served and released. No further action is taken and matter is dismissed. Text Box: RELEASED Youth is released to parents and waits for further review of charges. Text Box: PETITION FILED Probation Department will review the police report and request that the District Attorney file a Petition in Superior Court. The Petition is the form that tells what violations of the law the youth is being charged with. When the Petition is filed, the Arraignment/Detention Hearing will be scheduled.

ARRAIGNMENT/DETENTION HEARING

This is the first court hearing in Superior Court. The hearing is called an Arraignment if the youth was cited and sent home. It is called a Detention Hearing if the youth is in custody or custody is recommended. The Judge will do the following at this hearing:►Determine if the youth is a minor (17 years or younger). ►Tell the youth what charges are filed against him/her. ►Appoint an attorney to represent the youth, if the family cannot afford one. ►The Court may take temporary custody, care, and control of the youth. ►Future court dates may be set.

Text Box: DEFERRED ENTRY OF JUDGMENT The District Attorney may recommend Deferred Entry of Judgment. This means that the judgment will be postponed.

INFORMAL

PROBATION

The Court may place the youth on Informal Probation. He/she will be given specific tasks that must be finished by a set deadline. The Court will

review the case in six (6) months. If the youth

completes required tasks, the case may be dismissed.

SOCIAL HISTORY

INTERVIEW

Youth and parents are required to attend a social history interview at the Probation Department.

 

 

DEFERRED ENTRY OF JUDGMENT REVIEW

At this review hearing, the Court will decide if the youth is following the instructions and completing

the programs as ordered. If so, there may be more review hearings until the case is dismissed.

If the youth is NOT completing the programs, the case will go back

to the regular court track and be set for a Dispositional Hearing.

 

 

 

YOUTH IS MADE A WARD OF THE COURT

 

 

 
Text Box: YOUTH IS NOT MADE A WARD OF THE COURT

YOUTH STAYS HOME OR RETURNS HOME

(Formal Probation)

For six (6) months, parents have legal custody of the youth under the same rules and conditions as if the youth was a Ward of the Court. The youth will live with his/her parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUTH OUT OF CUSTODY

Youth either stays or returns home and

participates in programs

or services such as:

►Probation ►Drug Court ►Community Service

►Violence Reduction Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUTH IN CUSTODY

Youth is placed out of the home: ►Relative ►Foster Home ►Group Home ►Juvenile Hall ►Boot Camp ►CA Youth Authority

►Transitional Housing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING (The second 6-month review hearing)

This hearing MUST be held within 12 months of the date the youth entered foster care and every six (6) months during the period of placement. The court reviews

recommendations made by Probation to help the family reunify (get back together). If the youth is not returned to the home of a parent, Probation makes future living

plans for the youth. One of the following options will be selected:

 

 

EMANCIPATION

Child gains the rights of

adulthood prior to turning

18 years of age.
Text Box: Text Box: PETITION REQUESTED Probation Department may request a Petition. Text Box: DETAINED Youth is kept at Juvenile Hall until the Arraignment Detention Hearing.

YOUR Six (6) MONTH REVIEW HEARING

There will be a review hearing in (6) months to see if the youth is completing the

conditions of probation. With tasks completed, the case may be dismissed.

READINESS CONFERENCE

This hearing gives your attorney time to review the facts and discuss the case with the District Attorney. The attorneys may be able to

agree on a settlement that is acceptable to everyone involved. Also at this hearing, the youth will either admit or deny the charges against him/her.