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If your child has been booked into Juvenile Hall, you may want to know...

What happens next?
Your child's case will be assigned to a Probation Officer who will investigate the circumstances of the offense/arrest.

When can/will my child be released?
The Probation Officer will decide if your child can be released to your custody. Your input is important at this time. If the Probation Officer recommends detention, a Detention Hearing will be scheduled.

What happens at the Detention Hearing?
In court, the Probation Officer will present the reasons your child should be detained. An attorney (Public Defender) will be appointed to represent your child in court, or you can retain your own counsel. S/he will be given an opportunity to argue for your child's release or detention. If your child is detained, s/he will remain in Juvenile Hall until his/her next court appearance. If s/he is released, the Judge can order home detention (see below). Your child will have further court appearances.

What is home detention?
This is an order of the court. Under its terms, your child will be allowed to travel only to and from work and school. All other times, s/he must be with you or at home with an adult approved by you. When you sign the Home Detention Contract, you agree to enforce its terms.

What are the time frames involved?
A Probation Officer will be assigned to your child's case by the next working day following your child's arrest. Working days are days court is in session. If the charge(s) is a felony, a Detention Hearing will be held within three full working days. If the charge(s) is a misdemeanor, the Detention Hearing will be held withing two working days.

What is the next court appearance?
This usually is a Jurisdictional Hearing. At this hearing, your child may admit or deny the filed charge(s) against her/him.

• If the charge(s) is admitted, a date is set for the Dispositional Hearing. An appointment must be made with the Probation Officer immediately following the Jurisdictional Hearing to aid the Probation Officer in preparing a report and recommendation for the Judge.
  
• If the charge(s) is denied, a date is set for a Contested Hearing.

What is a Contested Hearing?

This is a trial without a jury and the courtroom is closed to the public. Witnesses testify and the Judge will determine if the charge(s) is true or not. If the charge(s) is found to be true, a date for the Dispositional Hearing is set by the court. An appointment must be made with the Probation Officer immediately following this hearing. If the charge(s) is found not true, the case is dismissed.

What is a Dispositional Hearing?
This is a sentencing hearing. Prior to this hearing, the Probation Officer prepares a report and list of recommendations. You will have the opportunity to discuss this with your child's attorney. The recommendations are considered by the Judge, District Attorney, and your child's attorney. The Judge makes the final decision as to the conditions of wardship and other consequences.

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Some terms you will be hearing:

Continuance: a postponement of a hearing to a future date.

Petition: legal document filed by the District Attorney with the County Clerk that brings a charge or charges against your child.

Proceedings: a court hearing.

Restitution: money owed to victims to compensate for losses due to a crime.

Wardship: your child is on probation until the age of 21 or further orders of the court.

601: a Status Offender who is a runaway, habitual truant from school or is incorrigible.

602: a Status Offender who violates a law.

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About the Juvenile Hall

The Nevada County Juvenile Hall has a fully-accredited school and a program of physical fitness is provided. Your child will receive personalized attention and his/her emergency medical and psychological needs will be met. The staff-to-detainee ratio is high and detainees are supervised 24 hours a day. Food, clothing and personal hygiene items are provided by Juvenile Hall. Upon booking, your child will be allowed to telephone a parent/guardian, an attorney, and an employer if s/he is employed at the time of booking.

Your child can receive an unlimited amount of mail. Click the link below for visiting days and hours, rules and restrictions.