Juvenile Services

Intake Services

Deputy Probation Officers assigned as intake officers are responsible for the initial assessment of minors booked into either Juvenile Detention Facility and/or cited by law enforcement for delinquent offenses.

For those minors delivered to a JDF for booking, a process must be followed which includes reviewing the arrest report and conducting a preliminary investigation. If the minor remains detained after this investigation, the Deputy Probation Officer will prepare a detention report to the Court including a narration of the circumstances of the offense, a statement from the minor’s parents, a prior history of previous delinquent behavior and prior services the minor has received to alleviate removal from the parental home.

For non-custody citations, after a review of the law enforcement report, an intake hearing before a Deputy Probation Officer is scheduled at which time the minor and his/her parent are interviewed. Depending upon the type of offense and individual factors of the case, the Deputy Probation Officer may conditionally close the case, offer informal supervision, or refer the case to the District Attorney for review and possible filing of a petition to the Court. However, the Deputy Probation Officer may not have discretion on some citations since they are mandated by California Law to be forwarded to the District Attorney for prosecution.

Court Services

Deputy Probation Officers assigned to Juvenile Court conduct case investigations and prepare social study reports and recommendations for the Juvenile Court. These reports, which require investigations into the offense, the background of the minor and family, victim impact, and restitution, are produced to assist the Court with disposition in a case. Officers also prepare reports for disposition in fitness hearings and hearings pursuant to Section 241.1 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, coordinate psychological evaluations, and prepare case plans according to legislative mandates. Lastly, a Deputy Probation Officer attends all Juvenile Court proceedings, representing the Probation Department and serving as a resource to the Juvenile Court.

The Probation Department has multiple programs to address and rehabilitate minors involved in the criminal justice system. This page lays out the programs and services available to these youths. Find out more in the sections below about which programs may be the most beneficial and appropriate for you or your loved one.

Juvenile Supervision

The Probation Department provides community supervision to minors who have been involved in a delinquent offense. Juvenile offenders can be supervised by a Deputy Probation Officer when ordered by the Juvenile Court, or on an informal basis when agreed to by the juvenile and parent as an alternative to formal juvenile court proceedings.

Deputy Probation Officers monitor a juvenile’s compliance with their conditions of probation by:

• Ensuring the minor is obeying curfew and parent rules
• Ensuring attendance and participation at school, counseling and treatment programs
• Testing for drug/alcohol use
• Conducting searches for prohibited items
• Ensuring the minor is not associating with other offenders
• Ensuring the juvenile is completing community service work
• Ensuring the juvenile is having no contact with the victim(s)
• Ensuring the juvenile is paying any victim restitution

To assist offenders with their rehabilitation, probation officers will refer minors and their families to services available in the community, and provide guidance, mentoring, and structure. The probation officer will investigate violations of probation and may arrest the minor and/or return the minor to the Juvenile Court for further action.

Juvenile Drug Court Program

The Juvenile Drug Court Program is a court-based, multi-disciplinary team approach with a strong judicial leadership role for the processing and treatment of drug offenders. This program addresses the needs of non-violent minors for whom the primary basis of delinquent behavior is drug/alcohol abuse to return them to a drug-free life.

With the Judge as the treatment team leader, probation officers and treatment professionals work collaboratively to develop a strategy that is in the best interest of the minor and society.

Out-of-Home Placement

The Juvenile Court may order a juvenile offender to be placed in a group home, foster home, or home of a relative or non-relative extended family member. When this order is made, the Probation Department will place the minor in the appropriate setting after evaluation of numerous factors, including, but not limited to:

• Educational needs
• Mental health needs
• Substance abuse history
• Delinquency and other risk factors
• Ability to thrive in the parental home
• The parents' stability and/or availability

While placed out of the home, the minor will receive counseling and education services, as well as supervision by a Deputy Probation Officer, who will ensure the minor is participating in services. Whenever appropriate, a minor will be reunified with a biological parent after completion of the out-of-home placement program.

If a relative or non-relative extended family member (family friend, pastor, teacher, etc.) of a juvenile offender who is placed in an out-of-home placement program would like to become a part of the minor’s life, including having contact and/or providing support, the relative or non-relative extended family member should make contact with the minor’s probation officer.

Contact either of our Probation Offices and ask for the probation office of the specific minor. More information will be provided once contact with the probation officer is made.

Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program (JEMP)

This program is designed to allow minors who would otherwise be detained in a Juvenile Detention Facility to return home under supervision provided by the Probation Department. Conditions of detention in the home are provided in writing to the minor, who shall agree to and follow each condition.

The majority of minors in the program are monitored by electronic monitoring equipment. Participants who violate the conditions of the program are returned to secure detention and the Juvenile Court for further disposition.