Juvenile Probation

This indicator—the number of sustained petitions (true finds) in juvenile court among youth ages 10-17—reports on the juvenile equivalent of being found guilty in adult court. This indicator includes only sustained petitions for misdemeanor or felony offenses. Status offenses such as curfew or truancy violations are not included here. These data are routinely reported by the San Diego County Probation Department.

Youth who enter the juvenile justice system and receive a sustained petition (also known as a “true finding”) are placed on probation. Probation provides structured supervision to support compliance with court orders and help youth get back on track. While it can be an effective tool, probation is costly to the public and often reflects missed opportunities to address early risk factors and unmet needs. Involvement in the justice system—particularly following an offense—can have lasting negative impacts on a young person’s life, both immediately and in the long term.

These evidence-based and best practices are used across the country to reduce arrests and escalation in the justice system:

• Implement nationally recognized evidence-informed models that prioritize youth development, enhance family engagement, and effectively reduce recidivism through innovative rehabilitative and therapeutic practices, including peer support and trauma-informed care.
• Provide comprehensive educational support aimed at improving literacy, facilitating credit recovery, and ensuring high school completion, while also offering job readiness programs, career and technical education, internships, and employment opportunities for youth involved with the justice system.
• Offer comprehensive services through community-based providers that include wraparound services.
• Engage lived experience mentors to build trust and support youth throughout the probation process, while integrating restorative justice practices that promote positive youth development.

• Superior Court of California – County of San Diego Juveniles
• San Diego Association of Governments – Juveniles
• Office of Youth and Community Restoration – Resources
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention – Programs
• Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice Reform – Resources
• 211 San Diego