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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 17§ 701 Minor Jurisdiction Hearing Standards

§ 701 Minor Jurisdiction Hearing Standards

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

§ 701 Minor Jurisdiction Hearing Standards

Key Takeaways

  • •The court first checks if the kid fits into one of three groups (Sections 300, 601, or 602).
  • •For Section 602 (like breaking serious rules), the proof must be super strong—no doubts. For Sections 300 or 601 (like needing help or breaking smaller rules), the proof just needs to be stronger than the other side’s.
  • •If the kid admits to something outside court but says no in court, the hearing can be paused for up to 7 days to bring in witnesses.
  • •If the kid doesn’t have a lawyer, the court acts like all possible arguments against the evidence were already made.

Example

A 16-year-old is accused of stealing a bike (Section 602).

The court must be 100% sure with strong evidence (like videos or witnesses) that the teen stole the bike. If the teen first admitted it to a friend but says ‘no’ in court, the judge can pause the hearing to bring that friend to testify.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 701 Minor Jurisdiction Hearing Standards

At the hearing, the court shall first consider only the question whether the minor is a person described by Section 300, 601, or 602. The admission and exclusion of evidence shall be pursuant to the rules of evidence established by the Evidence Code and by judicial decision. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt supported by evidence, legally admissible in the trial of criminal cases, must be adduced to support a finding that the minor is a person described by Section 602, and a preponderance of evidence, legally admissible in the trial of civil cases must be adduced to support a finding that the minor is a person described by Section 300 or 601. When it appears that the minor has made an extrajudicial admission or confession and denies the same at the hearing, the court may continue the hearing for not to exceed seven days to enable the prosecuting attorney to subpoena witnesses to attend the hearing to prove the allegations of the petition. If the minor is not represented by counsel at the hearing, it shall be deemed that objections that could have been made to the evidence were made. (Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 579.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

evidencehearingtrialsubpoenaportoffensefor sectionquestion

Related Statutes

  • § 676 Juvenile Court Hearing Access
  • § 5976 Respondent Hearing Rights
  • § 676.5 Victim Presence In Juvenile Court
  • § 700.1 Juvenile Evidence Suppression Rules
  • § 706 Juvenile Disposition Hearing Evidence

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 701.
View Official Source