Adult Terminology
Assembly Bill 109 (Ab109)
Effective October 2011, the California Public Safety Realignment plan mandates that non violent, non serious, or non sexual offenders are supervised by the probation department. This is also known as Post Release Community Supervision.
A Bench Warrant
An arrest warrant ordered by the court against an offender in a criminal case. Bench warrants may be issued for violations of probation (VOP) or failing to appear at a court appearance (FTA).
Split Sentence
A state prison sentence served in county jail.
Flash Incarceration
An immediate sanction of up to 10 days in county jail for a violation of PRCS terms.
Split Sentence
A state prison sentence served in county jail.
Mandatory Supervision
Under Section 1170(h) of the Penal Code is the supervision of an offender in the community for a court ordered period of time, after the offender has served a length of time in custody in County Prison. Mandatory supervision is supervised by the probation department.
A Petition
A report submitted to the Court indicating which terms and conditions are alleged to be violated and the reason why they are alleged violated. The petition is reviewed by the court at the arraignment hearing.
Post-Release Community Supervision
See AB 109
Pre-Sentence Investigation Report
Also known as a PSI, a report to the court for sentencing, which provides specific information, including victim impact statements and victim restitution information, biographical information about the defendant, and a recommended sentence.
Probation Supervision
The supervision of criminal offenders by which they are ordered by the court to follow terms and conditions of probation. The Los Angeles County Probation Department supervises felony cases and some misdemeanors.
Restitution
Money paid to compensate the loss of stolen or damaged property, medical and psychological treatment costs, and funeral costs to victims and other costs or damages as ordered by the court.
Summary Probation
Summary probation, also known as court or informal probation, is supervised by the court, not the probation department. If an offender's probation terms requires classes, community service, counseling, etc., they are held accountable by the court.
A Supplemental Report
A report written by a probation officer that explains to the court the reason for a violation of probation. The report includes a recommendation by the probation officer as to whether the probationer is suitable and eligible for continued probation supervision or incarceration.
Suspended Sentence
A jail or prison sentence that is suspended, or put on hold, while the offender is given an opportunity to comply with the terms and conditions of probation that are ordered by the court. If an offender violates their terms and conditions of probation, the court has the authority to order the offender to serve the suspended time.
Juvenile Terminology
Detention Hearing
The first court appearance for a youth who has been arrested and detained at a Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center. The purpose of the hearing is for the court to decide whether or not the youth is to remain in custody.
Detention Rehearing
When a minor appears before the court following his/her detention for a new crime or probation violation.
Jurisdictional Hearing
Also known as a prehearing. The first court appearance for a youth who is not detained. The juvenile court makes a determination that a youth comes under its jurisdiction based on age, legal residence and the alleged offense.
Pre-Trial Hearing
A hearing which is scheduled for the District Attorney (DA) and defense counsel to attempt to negotiate a plea.
Dispositional Hearing
Prior to disposition, the probation officer conducts an investigation and then submits a dispositional report to the court. The report includes circumstances of the offense, the youth’s statement, school information, family information and a recommendation to the Court. The Dispositional Hearing is the proceeding used to consider the dispositional report, recommendation and to impose court sanctions.
Review Hearing
A hearing to review a youth’s progress or status under probation supervision.
W&I 707 or Fitness Hearing
A hearing where suitability for juvenile court is determined. Under certain circumstances, when charged with a serious or violent crime, a youth 14 years of age or older can be found unfit for juvenile court and may be tried in adult court.
Harvey Waiver
When allegations are dismissed but subject to discussion in the dispositional report.
Dismissed with Prejudice
Charges contained in a Juvenile Court petition that are dismissed and but cannot be re-filed.
Ward of the Court
Any person who is under the age of 18 when he or she violated a criminal law, and receives a grant of formal probation.
Willie T. Waiver
In a Willie T. Waiver, the Court orders a youth into placement and then stays that order, allowing the youth the opportunity to remain in the community with terms and conditions of probation for a period of 60-90 days. The youth waives the right to contest the placement order if the stay is lifted and the placement order is imposed.
Adjudicated
In Juvenile Court, youth are not convicted of a crime, they are adjudicated.
Maximum confinement
The maximum term of physical confinement set by the court for the offense or offenses the youth is charged with.
Placement
When a ward of the court is removed from the home and ordered to reside in a rehabilitative program.
DETENTION SERVICES BUREAU (DSB)
DSB is comprised of three (3) Juvenile Halls, Intake and Detention Control (IDC), Community Detention Program (CDP) and Transportation. The following briefly summarizes each DSB operation:
Juvenile Hall
Juvenile Hall serves as an institutional setting that temporarily houses youth for primarily two reasons: prior to their court dates and/or after their adjudication, pending transitional placement/services. The three (3) Juvenile Hall locations in the County of Los Angeles include: Central Juvenile Hall (Los Angeles), Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall (Downey) and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (Sylmar).
Intake and Detention Control (IDC)
IDC is responsible for screening youth for admittance into Juvenile Hall in accordance with established procedures and legal requirements for detention.
Upon arrival at Juvenile Hall, the Admissions Intake officer shall notify IDC who will then come and interview the law enforcement agency that is bringing the youth in. IDC officer will assess and determine if the youth will be detained, released on house arrest, or released with a citation. The IDC officer will conduct an interview with the youth and contact the youths’ parent/legal guardian to inform their youth is at Juvenile Hall. If youth is detained, the parent(s) is informed on visiting hours and future court appearance(s).
