My childs probation officer told me that the district attorney will be filing a petition. What does that mean?
A petition asks the court to become involved in your childs life. The petition describes what the state believes your child did. Later, a judge will decide if what the petition states is true. There are two (2) types of petitions. They are named after numbered sections of California Law: 601 Petitions A 601 Welfare and Institutions Code petition is filed by the District Attorneys Office and usually states that a minor has run away, truanted school, violated curfew, or regularly disobeyed his or her parents. These violations are against the law because the child is a minor. If the court finds that the petition is true, the youth becomes a ward of the court and is known as a “status offender.” 602 Petitions A 602 Welfare and Institutions Code petition is filed by the district attorneys office in instances when a minor has committed an act that would be considered a crime if an adult had done it. If the court finds the facts stated in the petition to be true the minor becomes a “ward” of
