Page 27 - Department Overview 2020

JUVENILE SERVICES DIVISION

INVESTIGATION

When the District Attorney files a §602 Welfare and Institutions Code (W&IC)
petition, the case proceeds through the juvenile court in a manner similar to
adult court proceedings. In some cases, the court may find the youth is eligible
and appropriate for informal handing despite the filing of a petition. In these

cases, the court can order diversion for misdemeanors and deferred entry of
judgment for felonies. Applicable sections of the W&IC determine under what
circumstances either can be ordered. Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs) assigned

to Investigations Units will prepare reports for the court’s review in determining
if informal handling is appropriate. For specified serious offenses, the Juvenile
Court may evaluate a youth's case for being heard in the criminal courts. DPOs
will prepare transfer reports for the court’s consideration in making that
determination. When cases are not handled informally, hearings are held to

determine whether the allegations contained in the petition are true or not. If
the charges are found true, DPOs will conduct an investigation on the youth to
provide detailed objective information regarding the offense, family history,

education, social welfare background, prior offense history, victim impact,
restitution, and other factors relevant to the case.

Based on the nature of the offense and the findings of the investigation, the DPO

will make a formal recommendation for the disposition of the case. A youth may
be placed on formal probation with a variety of terms and conditions, and
allowed to remain in the home of a parent or guardian. The youth may also be
detained or placed in a foster care program, either initially or later based on

subsequent behavior and changing circumstances.

Welfare and Institutions Code (W&IC) sections govern the operation of the juvenile
court law and subsequently juvenile probation activities.

HOME SUPERVISION PROGRAM

As part of the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall (SMJH) release decision-making process,
or at the direction of the Juvenile Court at a Detention Hearing, eligible youth
may be placed in the Home Supervision Program, a community-based alternative

to detention. Home supervision consists of various levels of supervision and can
include electronic monitoring (EM), including GPS surveillance. The program
provides structure and supervision to youth who might otherwise be detained in
the SMJH.

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