The Clerk’s Office and Telephone Hours are:
Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

General Information about Juvenile Court

The juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction over:

1. All delinquent minors (under 18 years old) wherein the minor is alleged to have committed an act which act would be criminal if he/she were an adult (section 602 at seq. of the Welfare and Institutions Code);
2. All minors who are alleged to have been neglected or abused by their parent or guardian, by either commission or omission (section 300 et seq. Welfare and Institutions Code),
3. All incorrigible minors, e.g., beyond the control of parents, chronic truants, runaways, disobedient to lawful parent rules, etc. (section 601 Welfare and Institutions code).
4. Nonminor dependents (over 18 years old) who may need foster care benefits and housing for an additional 3 years, to age 21, while working towards a higher education and/or obtaining employment training and skills.

As a matter of law and judicial philosophy, our job in Juvenile Court is to "protect" - protect the minor from him/herself and from others (both 300’s and 602’s) and protect the community from minors who pose a threat to the persons or property of others. Rehabilitation of the minor is also a major thrust of our job. Only in the last five or six years have we legally been able to even use the word "punishment" in our disposition orders. Rehabilitation is still the big aim, even when we give the minor some "therapeutic" detention.

Juvenile matters are confidential and many proceedings are not open to the public. Juvenile records are confidential and can only be released to officers of the court, specific agencies or by order of the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Due to the confidentiality of juvenile records, information cannot be given out over the telephone.

To view an Informational Guide for Parents & Guardians involved in the Juvenile Delinquency System, click here:

Link for English version

Link for Spanish version

Ventura Superior Court YouTube Channel

There is a YouTube video created by the Ventura Superior Court, in collaboration with County partners, that you can watch before you bring a child to court.

Introduction to Juvenile Court Proceedings

Introducción a los Procedimientos Judiciales de Menores