Board of Juvenile Hearings
COVID-19 UPDATE: Information regarding hearings
The state is taking aggressive efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. In compliance with recommendations from the Governor’s Office and public health experts, the Board is striving to maintain scheduled discharge consideration hearings and annual reviews while protecting public health and mitigating the spread and impact of COVID-19. In furtherance of these efforts, the following policies will be in place for all discharge consideration hearings and annual review hearings effective March 18, 2020, until further notice:
- Observers will not be permitted to attend hearings in person. They may attend hearings remotely via videoconference or telephone, at the discretion of DJJ staff.
- Victims and victims’ next of kin who choose to participate in discharge consideration hearings or annual review hearings must appear for the hearing by telephone or videoconference. Arrangements for an appearance can be made by contacting the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services-Juvenile Services Unit at 1-877-256-6877 or victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov. As always, victims may also provide a written statement to be read into the record.
- Attorneys of record representing youth at discharge consideration hearings may continue to appear, however, they have no participatory role and may not speak on behalf of their clients.
- Interpreters may continue to appear at the hearings.
While we appreciate that these are not ideal arrangements, we are obligated to limit the number of people at discharge consideration and annual review hearings, minimize travel, and adhere to social distancing recommendations as much as possible. The policies outlined by the Governor and public health officials can be found here: Policies to slow the spread of Covid 19.
About the Board
The Board of Juvenile Hearings (Board) conducts a number of hearings with youth under the jurisdiction of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). These hearings include:
- Initial Case Reviews, held within 45 days of a youth’s arrival in DJJ;
- Annual Case Reviews, a yearly check-in on a youth’s progress;
- Discharge Consideration Hearings, to determine whether a youth is ready for release from DJJ to county probation supervision; and
- Honorable Discharge Hearings to former DJJ youth who have completed probation and been in the community for at least 18 months.
The Board’s workforce includes an executive officer and three commissioners, appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation, as well as civil service hearing officers and administrative staff.
The Board holds monthly board meetings that are open to the public. Most board meetings are held at DJJ headquarters in Elk Grove, CA, although they may be conducted in other locations. Any member of the public may comment on Board-related business at an executive board meeting; however, comments regarding specific cases are not permitted and should be directed to the facility where the youth is housed. Meeting agendas are published at least 10 days in advance of the executive board meeting and are posted on the Board of Juvenile Hearings Monthly Meetings page.
BJH Contact Information
Board of Juvenile Hearings
Post Office Box 588501
Elk Grove, CA 95758-8501
Phone: (916) 683-7479