Alameda County Superior Court
Juvenile Delinquency Court Self Help - Court Description
What you can learn here:
This site provides information about the Juvenile Delinquency Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, California.
You can obtain information about:
- Telephone Numbers and Locations of the Juvenile Delinquency Courts
- Juvenile Delinquency Court Process and Proceedings
- Specialized Courts to Help Minors (Children under the age of 18)
- Programs Available to Minors Before and After Case Disposition
- Community Resources Available to Minors who are at Risk
Things you can do here:
- Review a diagram of how a delinquency case flows through the court.
- Link to other resources available to help minors and their parents.
Things you cannot do here:
- Get legal advice
- Fill out or electronically file documents in the Juvenile Delinquency Court
This page has information about:
- Who we are
- Purpose of the Delinquency Court
- Who Appears in Delinquency Court
- What is the Juvenile Delinquency Court?
The Juvenile Delinquency Court is a division of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, which has been given the responsibility by the state to hear cases involving minors who have committed a crime. The legal actions in this court are described in Welfare and Institutions Code beginning with Section 602.
- What is the Purpose of the Juvenile Delinquency Court?
The purpose of the Juvenile Delinquency Court has been defined by the state legislature in Welfare and Institutions Code Section 202. The legislature stated in this code section that the actions taken by the Delinquency Court must provide for the protection and safety of the public and the minor who has come in contact with the court. The judges of this court are expected to balance the interests of public safety and protection, the importance of correcting injuries to a victim, and the best interests of the minor. Once a judge has made that determination, the court will step in and take control of the minor’s future. The decision of the type of care, treatment and guidance the minor will receive must take into account the minor’s best interest, hold him/her accountable for the behavior and is appropriate for the circumstances of the offense. The guidance may include punishment that is consistent with rehabilitation so that in the end the minor will become a law-abiding and productive member of his/her family and the community.
- Who Appears in Delinquency Court?
A minor who would appear in Delinquency Court is generally any person who is under the age of 18 years at the time he/she commits a crime as defined by law. In recent years, the law has been modified to designate that a person 14 years or older who has committed certain serious crimes can be prosecuted in an adult criminal court rather than be charged in Delinquency Court.