Juvenile Justice Commission
"Working to Make Things Better"
The Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) is a state-mandated, court-appointed citizens’ commission. Its primary purpose is to annually inspect all publicly administered juvenile institutions and any jail lockup within the County that is used for the confinement of any minor for more than 24 hours. The JJC may also inquire into the administration of juvenile court law in San Diego County to promote an effective juvenile justice system operated in an environment of credibility, dignity, fairness, and respect for the youth of San Diego County.
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Quarterly Public Meetings
The commission holds quarterly public meetings on the third Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. Below are the meeting dates for 2024.
- April 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
- July 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
- October 16, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
At the public meeting, justice, health, and welfare agencies provide updates to the Commission. The Commission also accepts public comment at the beginning of the quarterly meetings. Persons wishing to share comment with the Commission can let staff know before the meeting starts or you can submit your comments electronically.
Meetings will be held virtually until further notice. Contact [email protected] for more information.
JJC – Policy on Public Comment
History
The involvement of responsible citizens in California's juvenile justice system dates back to 1903. At that time, a newly adopted statute required that in each county the Judge of the Juvenile Court appoint seven citizens of good moral character to be known as the Probation Committee.
These Probation Committees were given the power to inspect private institutions accepting wards of the court, investigate and report on juvenile cases before the court, provide friendly supervision and visitation, and nominate the county probation officer as well as approve of the probation officer's deputies.
The work of these committees continued until the Arnold-Kennick revision of the Juvenile Court Law in 1961. With this revision, the Probation Committee became the Juvenile Justice Commission. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 229 states, "It shall be the duty of a juvenile justice commission to inquire into the administration of the juvenile court law in the county or region in which the commission serves."
The San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) has access to, and must inspect, all publicly administered institutions in the county authorized by the Juvenile Court Law. It also monitors all activities involved in the care and supervision of both dependent children and wards of the court from the time they are taken into temporary custody until they leave the child welfare or juvenile justice system.
San Diego County's Juvenile Justice Commission is actively committed to fulfilling its responsibilities.
Inspection Sites
- Youth Transition Center
- East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
- Polinsky Children's Center
- Juvenile Lockup Facilities (Police/Sheriff)
- Group Homes (Optional)
The purpose of the Commission is to act as public conscience for those who provide services to children, youth and families in the juvenile justice and dependency systems, and, when deemed necessary, to make recommendations for improving the delivery of services.
Legal Authorization
The legal authorization for the establishment and operation of the Juvenile Justice Commission is set forth in the California Welfare and Institutions Code, Sections 225 through 231.