1. Immediately following arrest and detainment, you as the parent/legal guardian will be notified by a police officer and/ or a probation officer as to where your child is being held.
2. Within one hour of admission, your child has the right to make at least two telephone calls- one call completed to their parent or guardian, a responsible relative o r their employer; and a second completed call to an attorney.
3. Youth may request, to the On-Duty Probation Officer, Additional phone calls to an immigrants rights counselor and/or to a child care provider.
4. You can visit your child within the first 24 hours at any time. Only visitors allowed within the 24 hour period are parents/legal guardian. You do not have to arrange this with anyone. If you have any questions please call (415) 753-7500. You CAN just show up, but you MUST bring proper photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, passport, state identification card, SF ID card.)

Juvenile Justice Center Address:

375 Woodside Avenue, San Francisco, California 94127

Admissions Telephone #: (415) 753-7500

Do I need to look for a lawyer?

1. Your child DOES need a lawyer who is both effective and prepared. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney, the court will appoint an attorney to represent your child. The lawyer will be appointed before the FIRST court hearing (also known as DETENTION HEARING), however, you will meet him, her at the Detention Hearing. Remember that the attorney represents your child and your child’s decisions, not the parent/legal guardian.
2. Usually as the parent or legal guardian you do not need to hire a lawyer for yourself. For more, information, please contact the Public Defender’s Office.

Public Defender’s Office for Juvenile Court:

375 Woodside Avenue Room 118

San Francisco, CA 94127

415-753-7601