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Frequently Asked Questions

Where will my child go if he or she is sent to the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)?
Your child will first go to a reception center for 30 to 90 days. After that, your child will be sent to 1 of 9 correctional facilities or 1 of 4 youth camps. These are the 3 reception centers where staff will assess your child’s education and treatment needs.
  • The Northern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic Preston Youth Correctional Facility and Reception Center and Clinic in Ione. Ph: 209-274-8000
  • The Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic in Norwalk Ph: 562-868-9979
  • The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (for girls) Ph: 805-485-7951
You may visit your child during visiting hours, which are on Saturdays or Sundays for 2 to 3 hours at a time, depending on the reception center. The Ventura reception center for girls allows visits for up to 6.5 hours at a time. You may not call your child at the reception center, but you may write to your child. Your child may make collect calls to you from a pay phone.

Show All Answers

1. My child came home after being arrested. What will happen now?
2. My child was arrested and taken into custody. What can the arresting officer do?
3. If we get a Notice to Appear, what will happen at the meeting with the probation officer? What should I do?
4. Do I need a lawyer for myself?
5. Does my child need a lawyer?
6. My child’s probation officer told me that the district attorney will be filing a petition. What does that mean?
7. What will happen if my child is taken to juvenile hall after the arrest?
8. How long could my child have to stay in juvenile hall?
9. Can I visit my child in juvenile hall?
10. What is the role of the probation officer?
11. How will my child and I find out about the court hearings?
12. What hearings will my child go to in juvenile court?
13. What will happen at the jurisdiction hearing?
14. What will happen at the disposition hearing?
15. May I be present at the hearings?
16. May I speak at the hearings?
17. Do we have the right to an interpreter?
18. May the victim attend and speak at the disposition hearing?
19. When can my child be tried as an adult?
20. What felonies are likely to be tried in adult court?
21. Where will my child go if he or she is sent to the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)?
22. When would my child go to the Division of Adult Operations instead of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)?
23. Am I financially liable for my child’s acts?
24. Will I be required to pay my child’s fees?
25. Can my child’s juvenile records be sealed?
26. Can my child’s juvenile court record be used against him or her as an adult?
27. What should I do as a parent?