Can I find out the name and other personal information of the minor?

• Information about juveniles is confidential and cannot be released without a court order after a showing of good cause.
  
  
  
  

Can I attend the disposition or sentencing?

• Victims may address the court to give a Victim Impact statement. This can be done either in person or in writing in Felony cases. The court will allow you into the hearing only during the time you address the court. In misdemeanor cases you may submit a written statement to the Court.
  
  
  
  

Do I need to testify?

• Juvenile trials are called Jurisdictional Hearings. These are held in front of a Judge or a Commissioner without a jury. They are conducted under the same rules of evidence as Adult cases. This requires live testimony. Sworn or notarized affidavits are insufficient. You cannot testify by deposition. The Police cannot testify on your behalf.
  
  

Do I have a say in what happens to the minor?

• Your input is very important to our office in determining what recommendation is made by the District Attorney’s Office at the time of sentencing. Although the District Attorney’s office makes a recommendation to the Court, the Court has the final say in what happens. The Judge or Commissioner also considers the recommendations of the Probation Dept. and the minor’s Defense attorney in determining the sentence.
  
  
  
  

How long will the minor be on probation?

• The minor can be on probation until he is 21 yrs old, but some get off within a year.
  
  
  
  

Has the minor ever done this type of crime before?

• We cannot tell you that because the minor’s record is confidential.
  
  
  
  

Can I get a copy of the police report?

• You must contact Juvenile Court and show good cause why they should be released to you. The police seized some items from the minor that belong to me.
  
  
  
  

Can I get them back?

• You need to contact the arresting agency. Most likely, those items will be held until the Jurisdictional Hearing as evidence and for 60 days thereafter until the Appeal period runs. There is a possibility that the agency may take photographs of those items and then release them to you before the hearing.
  
  
  
  

What about restitution?

• The Court will order restitution in all cases that are appropriate. Probation will set the amount owed and try to collect from the minor on your behalf. In cases where there is dispute, the Court will set a hearing. The District Attorney’s office will appear with you at that hearing. You are responsible for getting estimates and bringing receipts or other proof of your loss to the hearing.