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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 7§ 321 Minor Hearing Rehearing Rights

§ 321 Minor Hearing Rehearing Rights

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

§ 321 Minor Hearing Rehearing Rights

Key Takeaways

  • •If a parent or guardian misses a court hearing for their child and didn't know about it, they can ask for a new hearing within 24 hours.
  • •If the child, parent, or their lawyer asks to see the basic evidence against the child, a new hearing must happen within 3 days.
  • •If the evidence isn't strong enough, the child must be let go from detention.
  • •If a witness isn't available, the court can delay the new hearing for up to 5 days.

Example

A kid gets in trouble, and the court has a hearing, but the parents didn't know about it and weren't there.

The parents can file a paper with the court saying they didn't know about the hearing, and the court must have a new hearing within 24 hours. If the parents ask to see the basic evidence and it's not strong, the kid must be released.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 321 Minor Hearing Rehearing Rights

When a hearing is held under the provisions of this article and no parent or guardian of the minor is present and no parent or guardian has had actual notice of the hearing, a parent or guardian of the minor may file an affidavit setting forth the facts with the clerk of the juvenile court and the clerk shall immediately set the matter for rehearing at a time within 24 hours, excluding Sundays and nonjudicial days from the filing of the affidavit. Upon the rehearing, the court shall proceed in the same manner as upon the original hearing. If the minor, a parent or guardian or the minor’s attorney or guardian ad litem, if either one or the other has been appointed by the court, requests evidence of the prima facie case, a rehearing shall be held within three judicial days to consider evidence of the prima facie case. If the prima facie case is not established, the minor shall be released from detention. In lieu of a requested rehearing, the court may set the matter for trial within 10 days. When the court ascertains that the rehearing cannot be held within three judicial days because of the unavailability of a witness, a reasonable continuance may be granted for a period not to exceed five judicial days. (Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 144, Sec. 216.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

detentionevidencetrialhearingreleasea juvenilestatementunavailability

Related Statutes

  • § 637 Minor Hearing Rehearing Rights
  • § 307.4 Minor Custody Notification Rights
  • § 308 Minor Custody Notification Rules
  • § 315 Child Detention Hearing Rules
  • § 356 Minor Dependency Court Findings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 321.
View Official Source