In California, as in all states, there is a separate court system for persons under the age of 18, who are known as minors or juveniles. The juvenile court system was established with the belief that children could be successfully rehabilitated through intensive counseling, education and guidance, rather than punishing them in the adult criminal justice system.

• Where are the offices located?
• Juvenile Case Types
• Juvenile Probation
• More Information

Where are the offices located?
Juvenile dependency and juvenile delinquency offices are located at:

What are the types of Juvenile cases heard by the Court?
The juvenile courts have the ability to intervene in three different types of circumstances:

1. Delinquents are persons under 18 years of age who have committed an illegal act which, if committed by an adult, would be considered a criminal offense, such as a felony or misdemeanor. (Welfare & Institutions Code §602.)
     
2. Status offenders are minors who have committed offenses which are only illegal due to their age and would not be considered illegal if committed by adults. Examples: truancy, running away from home etc. (Welfare &Institutions Code §601.)
     
3. Dependent children are those who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. (Welfare & Institutions Code §300.) The juvenile court must decide who will be responsible for the care of these children.

Juvenile Probation:
Probation is a juvenile justice alternative which assigns a probation officer to a minor. The probation officer supervises the minor to ensure that he/she obeys all laws.  If the minor successfully completes the conditions of probation, the case against the minor will be dismissed. If the minor does not successfully complete the conditions of his probation, the officer will request the district attorney’s office to file the petition against the minor and court action will proceed.

For more information please visit:

• California Courts Online Self-Help Center:
  http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-delinquency.htm
• Publications by the State Bar of California:
  KIDS AND THE LAW: An A to Z Guide for Parents
  WHEN YOU BECOME 18: A Survival Guide for Teenagers
  
• 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.courts.ca.gov/programs-cfcc.htm

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