District Attorney
Juvenile Justice Division

The District Attorney Juvenile Justice Division is a specialized division within a prosecutor's office that focuses on addressing juvenile crime and ensuring the welfare of minors involved in the justice system. Because of the unique nature of the Juvenile Justice prosecution process, our office has a separate team dedicated to the prosecution of juvenile offenders in San Joaquin County.

The Juvenile Unit reviews cases involving minors accused of committing crimes. The current approach to juvenile delinquency balances community safety, offender accountability to victims and communities, and competency development in offenders. The Juvenile Unit evaluates the evidence and determines whether to file charges or divert the case to alternative programs.

The DA Juvenile Unit often collaborates with other stakeholders, such as law enforcement agencies, schools, social service agencies, and community organizations, to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency and promote prevention and intervention efforts.

The Juvenile Unit tries to be involved in shaping policies and providing training to law enforcement, schools, and other organizations to ensure the appropriate handling of juvenile cases and promote best practices in dealing with minors. They may engage in public outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about juvenile crime, prevention strategies, and the role of the juvenile justice system in addressing these issues.

The overarching goal of a Juvenile Unit is to balance the interests of public safety, victim rights, and the best interests of the minor while promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders.

Nicole Pannell
Supervising
Deputy District Attorney

535 W. Mathews Rd.
French Camp, CA
Contact the Juvenile Justice Division
(209) 468-4260