Juvenile Court Overview

The Sacramento County Juvenile Division is comprised of two courts: Juvenile Dependency and Juvenile Justice (i.e., Juvenile Justice). The Juvenile Court is a distinct court with specific statutory jurisdiction and unique oversight responsibility for the children and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and the agencies that provide care and services for them.

  • Juvenile Dependency proceedings are cases that arise when a parent or guardian is alleged to have abused or neglected a child, such that government intervention is required to protect the child. Juvenile dependency cases are governed by a unique body of law contained in the Welfare and Institutions Code, the California Rules of Court, and as developed through case law. Responsibilities of the dependency system are to ensure protection of the children, preservation and reunification of families, and permanent home placement for children who cannot be returned to their parents.
  • Juvenile Justice Court is the branch of the Superior Court that hears cases involving allegations of violations of law committed by children less than 18 years of age. The Welfare and Institutions Codes establish the legal framework for operating the juvenile justice system and the rights of minors and parents in juvenile court proceedings. The justice system's goals are to ensure public safety, redress injuries to victims, provide care and treatment, and preserve and strengthen family ties.

Juvenile Collaborative Courts

Collaborative courts, also known as problem-solving courts, are specialized court programs that combine court supervision and rehabilitation services to improve case outcomes, reduce recidivism, and address the underlying issues of juveniles in our court system.

The Sacramento County Juvenile Division currently has the following collaborative courts:

  • BRAVE Court — One of only ten of its kind in the state of California, Sacramento's BRAVE Court seeks to identify and provide services to juvenile justice youth in our community who have been victims of sexual exploitation. Agency partners include the District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services, Children's Law Center, Probation, Tribes, CASA, and the Office of Education.
  • Juvenile Trauma Response Court (JTRC) — The JTRC seeks to provide justice-involved middle and high school-age youth with legal, clinical, and supportive services to address childhood trauma that could lead to their risk of justice system involvement and to prevent future involvement in the justice system.
  • Juvenile Truancy Court — The Juvenile Truancy Court handles minors who are habitually truant from school. The goal is to eliminate school truancies, address the underlying cause for the absences, and work with minors, their families, and school personnel to ensure future academic success.
  • Dependency Family Treatment Court (DFTC) — The Dependency Family Treatment Court is dedicated to assisting parents struggling with addiction issues who have had a petition filed against them in dependency court. Parents must be either referred to DFTC by their dependency home court judge or file a Motion for Inclusion to be accepted into the program.
  • Non-Minor Dependent (NMD) Court — Following the implementation of AB 12 in 2012, California created an Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program that allows eligible youth to remain in foster care until the age of 21. NMD Court is voluntary, and participants can leave (or reenter if they qualify) at any time. NMDs continue to receive the benefits and support they received while they were minors.