PJDC Amicus Committee Request for Publication of Opinion Granted

The California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, published In re Jose T. on January 13, 2011, at the request of the PJDC Amicus Committee.  The decision held that it was an abuse of discretion for a trial court to impose an automatic commitment to DJJ on a youth without first considering less restrictive alternatives and the youth’s needs.

The Amicus Committee requested publication on the grounds that the opinion clarified that the requirements of Welfare and Institutions Code sections 734 and 777 do not permit automatic commitment solely upon the determination of a probation violation, and because it involved a legal issue of continuing public interest.

The In re Jose T. decision is available here.