Juvenile
Juvenile Division
The Juvenile Court protects and ensures the safety of the community and every minor under its jurisdiction. It also aims to preserve and strengthen the minor's family ties whenever possible.
The court removes minors from their parents' custody only when necessary for their welfare or for the safety and protection of the public. When this happens, the court strives to provide custody, care, and discipline as close as possible to what the parents would have given.
The court's goal is to provide care, treatment, and guidance that is in the best interest of the minor and the public. The court provides care and guidance for minors needing protective services consistent with their and the public's best interest. For minors who have engaged in delinquent conduct, the court provides care, treatment, and guidance appropriate for their circumstances and holds them accountable for their behavior.
The court considers family preservation and reunification appropriate when determining the disposition of minors under its jurisdiction as a consequence of delinquent conduct, as long as those goals are consistent with the minor's best interest and the public's best interest.
Juvenile courts aim to promote the best interests of youth and society non-adversarily. They operate under the jurisdiction of each superior court and are known as juvenile courts while exercising such jurisdiction.
Juvenile Justice Partners
The court has jurisdiction over five main categories, including delinquency proceedings for minors who violate criminal laws, dependency proceedings for minors who have suffered or are at risk of serious harm by their parents or guardians, and traffic and other violations committed by minors. Additionally, the court has transition jurisdiction proceedings for minors who are at least 17 years and five months old and in foster care placement or subject to an order for foster care placement on the day they attain 18 years of age and have not attained 21.
Fulling the mission of protecting and ensuring the safety of minors and the community requires a collaboration involving the minor, the minor's parents, the court, and many other community agencies referred to as justice partners. Some of Sonoma Juvenile Court's Justice partners are listed below:
Family, Youth, and Children Division of the Human Services Department of Sonoma County
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
The Probation Department of Sonoma County
Tribal representative (if needed)
Court Reporters
Record Sealing
Welfare and Institutions Code Section 781 permits persons who acquired records as juveniles to petition the Juvenile court to have those records sealed.
Information and documents needed to initiate the record sealing process are available through the Sonoma County Juvenile Probation Department at (707) 565-6229.
Standing Orders
Standing Orders may be downloaded in PDF format:
· Standing Order Number 2004(1) (issued 08-16-04)
· Standing Order Number 2004(2) (issued 12-16-04) Release and Sharing of Education Related Records of Juvenile Court Wards and Dependents - Filesize: 12k
Juvenile Justice Court
The Juvenile Justice Court determines the validity of accusations against minors and orders appropriate corrective consequences if the accusations are deemed true.
Juvenile Justice Court Driving Directions
Phone Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Calendars:
Juvenile Justice calendars are heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and at other times as designated.
Transfer-in hearings:
• In-Custody: Monday thru Friday at 8:30 a.m., Courtroom 24
• Out-of-Custody: Monday thru Friday at 8:30 a.m., Courtroom 24
To Clear a Warrant:
To clear a warrant, you must come to the Juvenile Court Monday through Friday by 8:30 AM. Check-in at the reception desk by 8:30 AM. Your case will be heard by the judge the same morning.
Additional Juvenile Justice Proceedings information can be accessed at the Judicial Council Self-Help Center Website.
Juvenile Dependency Court
The Juvenile Dependency Court aims to provide safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for children. It also provides parents with support and services to help them create safe homes for their children. Dependency matters are strictly confidential. Court hearings are closed except to the parties involved in the proceedings.
Juvenile Dependency Court Driving Directions
Calendars:
Dependency calendars are heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5, and at other times designated.
Transfer hearings:
• In-Custody and Out-of-Custody: Thursdays at 2:00 p.m., Courtroom 5 on the 2nd Floor
Additional information involving Juvenile Dependency Proceedings can be accessed at the Judicial Council Self Help Center Website at: http://www.courts.ca.gov/3062.htm
Juvenile Traffic
For the Juvenile traffic calendar and any business related to juvenile traffic violations." click here.