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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 13.5§ 451 Transition Jurisdiction For Wards

§ 451 Transition Jurisdiction For Wards

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 451 Transition Jurisdiction For Wards

Key Takeaways

  • •If a kid or young adult is under court supervision, the court can change their status to 'transition jurisdiction' instead of ending supervision completely.
  • •Kids or young adults under transition jurisdiction are not on probation and are treated like dependent children or young adults who need help.
  • •The county must decide whether child welfare or probation will supervise these kids or young adults, following rules for dependent children or young adults.
  • •The court must provide a lawyer for these kids or young adults and try to keep the same lawyer if possible.

Example

A 17-year-old who was in trouble with the law but is now doing better might get moved to transition jurisdiction instead of being fully released from court supervision.

The court can change their status so they are no longer on probation but still get help and support, like a kid in foster care. They will also get a lawyer to help them.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 451 Transition Jurisdiction For Wards

(a) At a hearing during which termination of jurisdiction over a ward is considered, the court may, as an alternative to termination of jurisdiction, modify its order of jurisdiction and assume transition jurisdiction over the ward pursuant to Section 450. The court may also assume transition jurisdiction over a ward, transition dependent, or nonminor dependent whose underlying adjudication is vacated pursuant to Section 236.14 of the Penal Code or dismissed pursuant to Section 782 of this code. (b) A minor or a nonminor who is subject to the court’s transition jurisdiction shall not be subject to any terms or conditions of probation, and their case shall be managed as a dependent child of the court or as a nonminor dependent of the court. (c) Each county shall modify its protocol for Section 241.1 to include a provision to determine whether the child welfare services department or the probation department shall supervise persons subject to the court’s transition jurisdiction, including persons who obtained a court order vacating the underlying adjudication pursuant to Section 236.14 of the Penal Code. For a minor, this supervision shall comply with the requirements and procedures set forth in this code for dependent children. For a nonminor, this supervision shall comply with the provisions set forth in this code that specifically apply to nonminor dependents. (d) The court shall appoint counsel, pursuant to Section 317, for minors and nonminors subject to the court’s transition jurisdiction. The court shall, to the extent feasible given local court circumstances, provide for continuity of representation for the minor or nonminor from delinquency jurisdiction to transition jurisdiction pursuant to Section 450 by the attorney appointed to represent the minor or nonminor pursuant to Section 634. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 782, Sec. 5. (SB 1161) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

jurisdictiontransitionprobationterminationwardhearingpenal codeadjudication

Related Statutes

  • § 452 Termination Of Transition Jurisdiction
  • § 607.2 Foster Care Jurisdiction Termination
  • § 450 Juvenile Court Transition Jurisdiction
  • § 607.3 Foster Care Reentry Rights
  • § 785 Juvenile Wardship Termination Petition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 451.
View Official Source