Delinquency
Information about Proposition 64, the "Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act," including application to juvenile adjudications, is located here.
California Probation Services Survey (2006)
This study quantifies the array of adult and juvenile probation services available across counties, tells how those services are funded, describes the functions provided by probation staff, and details the amount of probation staff time. The study makes several findings that build on the work of the Probation Services Task Force and that will inform how the task force recommendations are implemented.
Defining Recidivism in Juvenile Justice (April 2012)
This is an overview of common definitions of recidivism and the challenges of not having one standardized definition.
Developing Effective Practices in Juvenile Delinquency Caseflow Management (2006)
Based on a previous analysis of caseflow management and the processing of cases in criminal and family courts, the Administrative Office of the Courts, Center for Families, Children & the Courts completed a survey of current caseflow management techniques in juvenile delinquency courts. It identifies the major caseflow management issues facing California juvenile delinquency judges, attorneys, probation officers, court administrators, and court staff and provides examples of practices in use in California courts.
Effective Representation of Children in Juvenile Delinquency Court (2017)
This brochure provides juvenile court defense attorneys with both guidance on fulfilling the requirements of rule 5.663 of the California Rules of Court and suggestions for effective advocacy beyond what is mandated by law. Print version. (Brochure can be printed on double-sided legal paper).
Human Trafficking Cases in California’s Courts: Successful Practices in the Emerging Field of Human Trafficking (December 2012)
This briefing discusses the definition and scope of human trafficking, risk factors for becoming a trafficking victim, the dynamics of how perpetrators maintain trafficking victims, and how trafficking cases present themselves in courtrooms.
Juvenile Delinquency Court Assessment (2008)
The Juvenile Delinquency Court Assessment was a comprehensive research study of the California delinquency court system based on surveys and focus groups conducted with delinquency court professionals and court users.
Juvenile Delinquency Flow Chart (2018)
Nonminor Dependent Flow Chart (2018)
This flow chart outlines how a delinquency case moves through the court system.
Probation Services Task Force: Final Report (June 2003)
This report contains the findings and recommendations of the Probation Services Task Force, an 18-member body formed in August 2000 to undertake a comprehensive examination of probation in California. This report details the scope of the task force's examination, summarizes input from stakeholders around the state, makes recommendations focused on enhancing probation in California, and lays out a research agenda for future study.
Truancy and School Discipline: An Overview of the Literature and Statistics (November 2012)
A resource for California courts working with their justice partners and other stakeholders to develop collaborative solutions to truancy and school discipline issues in their communities.
Video
Juvenile Delinquency Court Orientation Video 
Transcript (2010)
This 13-minute video helps youth, their parents, and victims of juvenile crime to understand delinquency court. The video walks the viewer through the common types of juvenile hearings and explains what to expect during the course of a typical delinquency court case. It is appropriate for delinquency court waiting rooms, juvenile halls, and attorney or probation offices. In addition to being available online for the public here and at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center, the video can be requested on a DVD by California courts and their justice partners. To order a copy, contact Cindy Chen.
Research Update: STAR Court Study: Initial Results (January 2020)
The Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children & the Courts has partnered with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to conduct a comprehensive study of the Succeeding Through Achievement and Resilience (STAR) Court, a juvenile collaborative court program focused on providing services to commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) or youth at risk of exploitation. This research update provides descriptive data about STAR Court participants.
Defining Recidivism in Juvenile Justice (April 2012)
This is an overview of common definitions of recidivism and the challenges of not having one standardized definition.
Evidence-Based Practice and the Juvenile Delinquency Court: Integrating Justice Practices (December 2012)
This briefing provides an overview of the application of evidence-based practice (EBP) tools and programs in delinquency court, including a discussion of the how the roles of judicial officers, prosecutors, defense, and probation intersect with the EBP in the courtroom.
Family-Based Treatment Models - Effective Practices for Treating Youth Who Have Antisocial and Delinquent Behaviors (April 2009)
A summary of four successful evidence-based family treatment models designed to serve delinquent and substance-abusing youth.
How Practices and Programs Become Evidence Based: A Review of Juvenile Justice Research (February 2012)
This briefing describes what "evidence based" means and the process by which a practice or program becomes a best practice or evidence based. The briefing also details the principles of effective intervention, the principles that must be adhered to in order for practices and programs to be effective.
Human Trafficking Cases in California’s Courts: Successful Practices in the Emerging Field of Human Trafficking (December 2012)
This briefing discusses the definition and scope of human trafficking, risk factors for becoming a trafficking victim, the dynamics of how perpetrators maintain trafficking victims, and how trafficking cases present themselves in courtrooms.
Juvenile Delinquency Court Performance Measurement as an Evidence-Based Practice (December 2012)
This briefing provides a description of how delinquency court performance measures can inform system evaluation, including an overview of how performance measures can be used to evaluate the impact of evidence-based practices on court-related outcomes.
Screenings and Assessments Used in the Juvenile Justice System - Evaluating Risks and Needs of Youth in the Juvenile Justice System (February 2011)
An overview of screening and assessment instruments, including a summary of issues related to instrument validation, selection, and administration.
Screenings and Assessments Used in the Juvenile Justice System - Juvenile Mental Health Screenings and Assessments (February 2011)
An overview of screening and assessment instruments used to detect mental health problems in juveniles entering the delinquency system.
Screenings and Assessments Used in the Juvenile Justice System - Juvenile Risk and Needs Screenings and Assessments (December 2011)
An overview of risk and needs instruments used in California’s juvenile justice system.
Screenings and Assessments Used in the Juvenile Justice System: Tools for Assessing Sexual Recidivism Risk
(December 2012)
The briefing provides an overview of the prevalence of juvenile sexual offending, recidivism rates, and recent changes to state and federal legislation that apply to juveniles who have committed sexual offenses.
AOC Literature Review: Mental Health Courts (April 2012)
This is an overview of the literature on mental health diversion programs and mental health courts.
Information for Victims: Your Rights and Role in the Juvenile Court Process (2021)
This brochure provides basic information to help victims understand the juvenile court process and exercise their rights to information and assistance.
Restitution Basics for Victims of Crimes by Juveniles (June 2012)
An overview of restitution and step by step instruction on how to collect money victims are owed as a result of a juvenile offense. Also available in Spanish.
Victim Offender Reconciliation Programs Report (2000)
This report reviews six programs in California. It includes contact information for programs throughout California and resources such as publications, videos, organizations, and training programs.
Balanced and Restorative Justice: An Information Manual for California (2006)
This manual catalogs balanced and restorative justice practices and model programs being used in California and around the country. It provides contact information for practitioners and descriptions of practices being followed in local communities. The manual is a resource for the courts, and it encourages judges and community stakeholders to develop collaborative partnerships that can improve outcomes for youth, victims, and communities affected by crime.
Community Justice: What's in It for You? (2004)
This pamphlet provides a brief description of the benefits that community justice programs provide to the various criminal justice stakeholders and how to apply them in your community.
Restorative Conferencing: California Community Justice Project (2006)
This pamphlet describes Restorative Conferencing and provides examples of practices that utilize restorative principles.
Victim Offender Reconciliation Programs Report (2000)
This report reviews six programs in California. It includes contact information for programs throughout California and resources such as publications, videos, organizations, and training programs.
Competency to Stand Trial: Local Protocols
Welfare and Institutions Code section 709 provides the basic legal framework with respect to competency to stand trial in juvenile delinquency cases. The local protocols below were developed to help guide the court, parties, and justice partners handle competency issues. Note: the protocols from Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Clara are comprehensive and the protocols from Sacramento and San Francisco cover expert witnesses.
Welfare and Institutions Code section 709 also requires the Judicial Council to develop and adopt rules regarding implementation of qualifications for experts who evaluate children when the court or minor’s counsel raises the issue of competency to stand trial in any juvenile proceeding. The Judicial Council adopted rule 5.645(d) effective January 1, 2012.
County Protocols
Video
Juvenile Delinquency Court Orientation Video (Spanish)
This 13-minute video is designed to help youth, their parents, and victims of juvenile crime understand delinquency court. Transcript.