Juvenile Court
Juvenile Cases
Juvenile Delinquency
The California Welfare and Institutions Code, starting at section 602, describes the Court's jurisdiction over misdemeanors and felonies committed by minors (persons under 18 years of age.) For certain serious crimes, the law currently provides the possibility of trying juveniles as adults in the adult court.
Transfer in hearings are held at 2:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with the exception of holidays, at:
Glenn County Superior Court
526 West Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-6446, extension 7004
(530) 934-1911, Operations Manager
(530) 934-6382, Administration Office
Juvenile Dependency
The California Welfare and Institutions Code, starting at section 300, sets forth the legal requirements, processes and objectives for Dependency Court. Dependency matters are filed with the Court when there are reports that children have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their parent(s) or legal guardian. Dependency cases are also filed with the Court when parents or legal guardians are unable or unwilling to care for their children.
Transfer in hearings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with the exception of holidays, at:
Glenn County Superior Court
526 West Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988
530) 934-6446, extension 7004
(530) 934-1911, Operations Manager
(530) 934-6382, Administration Office
The Court’s Authority
The juvenile court has broad authority in juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. It can remove children from their homes, order their placement with relatives or in foster care or group homes, terminate parental rights, create new parental rights, and join various agencies to provide needed services. In delinquency cases, the juvenile court can also order children to be confined in locked facilities, including the California Youth Authority.
Whenever the court decides to remove a child from his or her home, placement and responsibility for that child is given to a governmental agency. It can also order services to be provided that will allow children to remain in their homes safely. In delinquency and status offense cases, that agency is the probation department; in dependency (abuse and neglect) cases, the agency is the county welfare department. The agency is responsible for meeting the health and educational needs of the child, as well as providing the care, treatment, and guidance the child may need.
Legal Help
Because these decisions are so serious and affect fundamental rights, it is very important that, if a juvenile case involves you or your child, you consult an attorney who can advise you more specifically about the court process as it relates to your case.
Your Right to an Attorney
The child in a delinquency case has a right to an attorney; a parent in a dependency (abuse and neglect) case has a right to an attorney; and the court must appoint an attorney for the child in an abuse and neglect case unless the court finds the child would not benefit from the appointment.
Visit our FAQ page for more information.