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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JUVENILE PROBATION
- What does
Probation do to prevent delinquent juveniles from entering the
juvenile justice system?
- Probation uses several programs
designed to divert the less serious offender from formal
court action when the community's safety is not in
jeopardy. Some of the diversion programs include Youth Accountability Boards,
Project 654, and a variety of other informal supervision
programs to keep youngsters out of trouble including
family counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse
counseling, and other skill-building activities.
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- How does a
youngster come to the attention of the Probation Department and
Juvenile Court?
- Contact usually begins with a referral. Juveniles accused of committing crimes may be
referred to Probation by law enforcement agencies. The
behavior may range from very minor law violations to
murder. Probation officers interview the minors and their
families and decide whether court intervention is
necessary. If the situation is serious, a petition will
be filed with the court; if not, the matter may be
handled informally.
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- What happens
to juveniles when they enter the juvenile justice system?
- After a juvenile has been arrested by a law enforcement officer and a decision has
been made to book him/her into custody, a detention
hearing is held before a judge within 2-3
days to determine whether he/she should continue to be
held. At that point, there are three different modes of
custody, depending on the juvenile's past record and the
severity of the crime:
- Juvenile Hall -This is a
locked detention facility for youth awaiting court
hearings, placement, or other dispositions including
assessment or short-term incarceration. All such
decisions are made by the court. Wards may be committed
to Juvenile Hall for short stays as part of a sanction
for delinquent behavior.
- Home Supervision and Electronic
Monitoring Program - Some juveniles are allowed
to stay in their own homes, under the supervision of
probation staff, pending a final court hearing. An
electronic device may be used to monitor a juvenile's
presence in the home.
- How long will
a minor be held in Juvenile Hall? What happens during that time?
- Average length of stay for a juvenile
in detention is 24 days. Occasionally, wards awaiting
placement in out-of-home facilities, such as foster
homes, group homes or the California Youth Authority, or
awaiting trial in adult court, may be in custody several
months. School, recreation, exercise, and work programs
are provided. Medical staff is on duty or available 24
hours a day, and psychologists, psychiatrists, and other
mental health professionals are available as required.
Probation officers interview detainees before court
hearings to obtain information for court reports and
recommendations for supervision and treatment plans.
- What happens
after a juvenile becomes a court ward?
- The judge has a number of options. The
minor could be placed under probation supervision with
certain conditions to be followed, such as paying
restitution and performing community service. Each case
is different; the circumstances vary for each minor.
Youngsters may be supervised in specialized caseloads.
- What does the
juvenile camp program do?
- Some youngsters need to be removed
from the community because of the seriousness of their
offenses. Probation administers a court-ordered camp
program for boys. The 180-day program operates in a
minimum security environment. Wards go to school, work on
community projects, and receive counseling, substance
abuse education, courses in anger management, and
training in parenting and job readiness. The focus is on
prevention of further criminal behavior.
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