Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission
http://www.jjdpc.org/
Contact Name:
Josefina Martinez
Judicial Secretary, Santa Barbara County Superior Court
Mailing Address:
Juvenile Justice/Delinquency Prevention Commission
1100 Anacapa Street
P.O. Box 21107
Santa Barbara, CA 93121
Phone Number: (805) 882-4520
Fax Number: (805) 882-4537
Email Address: jmartinez@sbcourts.org
Legal Authority:
Welfare and Institution code §225 & 233; S.B. County Code Article V, Chapter 20; Ordinance No. 3901, adopted January 15, 1991, by Minute Order. [91-17,035]
Membership:
The Members of the Commission shall be the members of the Juvenile Justice Commission appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge (Presiding Judge of the Superior Court) as of the effective date of this ordinance. Pursuant to section 225 of the Welfare and Institutions code, the number of members shall be not less than 7 and no more than 15 citizens, including at least two between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one years. All commissioners shall be citizens of the United States of America, and the State of California as well as residents of the County of Santa Barbara.
Term:
The Presiding Judge of the Santa Barbara Superior Court shall appoint Commission members. Appointments shall be for four years excepting youth representatives who shall be appointed for two years.
Duties:
The duties of the JJC are “to inquire into the administration of the juvenile court law” in the county. For the purpose of the JJC has access to all publicly administered institutions in the county in which juvenile offenders are housed, and has the duty of inspecting such institutions at least once each year. What does “inquire into administration” mean? It does not mean to attempt to administer. It is extremely important that any planning and/or activity in this area be done in a spirit of cooperation with the Juvenile Court and the Probation Department.
The JJC shall annually inspect any jail or lockup within the county used for confinement of any minor for more than 24 hours. A report on any inspection of a jail and/or lockup, together with recommendations, must be made to the juvenile Court and the Board of Corrections. In urban counties this inspection duty can involve a substantial amount of time, but in rural counties this time commitment is minimal. The JJC may hold hearings, and the Juvenile Court Judge has the power to issue subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses, or the production of documents, at such hearings.
W&I Code Section 229.5 states that JJC may inquire into non confidential administrations of any group home in the county which houses wards or dependent children of the Juvenile Court. Section 229.5 regulates the manner in which inspections of group homes may be conducted, and authorize the JJC to report findings to the Juvenile Court Judge, Chief Probation Officer, or Department of Social Services. The JJC may recommend changes deemed beneficial after investigation and may publicize its recommendations. Under the direction of the Juvenile Court Judge the JJC also nominates the Chief Probation Officer who, in turn, is appointed by the Presiding Judge. All appointments of deputy and assistant probation officers are subject to approval of the JJC. W&I Code Section 270.
Work with The Board of Supervisors, Superior Court, non-profits and volunteer groups to strive to prevent juvenile delinquency in Santa Barbara County.
Meeting Date and Location:
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission meets the second Thursday of every month. The location varies depending on the town/city where the commission has current interests.