Board of Supervisors Cease Collection of Juvenile Fees and Provide Relief of Liability

Effective February 14, 2020

On May 19, 2020, the Board of Supervisors voted to immediately cease collection of the following past juvenile delinquency costs and fees incurred prior to January 1, 2018:

  • Detention Fees;
  • Court-appointed lawyer fees;
  • Electronic supervision and monitoring fees. (However, you may still be liable for costs to replace a discarded or damaged device as ordered by the court); and
  • Probation and home supervision fees.

Additionally, due to the unprecedented financial hardships of the COVID-19 global pandemic, this action has been made retroactive to February 14, 2020, to provide urgent and direct financial relief to impacted families.

There is no action required by the debtor. Impacted families may expect a communication from the County’s Office of Revenue & Recovery with steps taken by their office to provide relief of liability.

Please check back soon as we provide additional information for those individuals effected by the Board’s recent actions.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  • Why has the County stopped collecting these fees as of February 14, 2020?

    California Senate Bill 190 ended the assessment of juvenile fees statewide on January 1, 2018, but it did not end the collection of fees that were assessed before 2018. National experts find that juvenile debt is counterproductive to supporting families while protecting public safety. By eliminating these fees, we are strengthening families and freeing them from this financial burden, resulting in safer and more thriving communities. To provide direct financial relief to families already facing unprecedented financial hardships due to the consequences of the COVID-19 global pandemic, this action is retroactive to February 14, 2020 when the Board of Supervisors declared the pandemic a local emergency.

     

  • Which past fees is the County no longer collecting as of February 14, 2020?

    Starting February 14, 2020, San Diego County will no longer collect the following past juvenile delinquency fees and charges incurred prior to January 1, 2018:

    • Juvenile Hall or any other youth detention facility costs;
    • Court-appointed legal representation costs for youth who were in the juvenile delinquency system;
    • Electronic monitoring costs for youth who were in a home supervision or work furlough program;

    And, the County of San Diego will no longer collect past fees for electronic monitoring of 18-21 year olds who were under the jurisdiction of the criminal court.

    Note: Youth and their families may still be charged for restitution (which are payments to crime victims) and restitution fines (which are fixed amounts paid to a state restitution fund.

     

  • If I made a payment on or after February 14, 2020, on a bill for one of the listed fees for charges assessed to me before January 1, 2018, will I receive a refund?

    Yes.  As of May 19, 2020, the Board of Supervisors has ceased collection of juvenile delinquency costs and fees incurred prior to January 1, 2018. Amounts posted to one of the listed fees on or after February 14, 2020, are eligible for refund.

     

  • Who should I contact to request a refund for a qualifying payment made on or after February 14, 2020?

    There is no action required by the debtor.

     

  • If I have other questions about my bill or a letter I have received, who can I talk to?

    If you have questions about a bill or letter you have received from the County about your child and the juvenile delinquency system, please contact your child’s attorney or the County department that sent the bill or letter. Department contact numbers are available here:

    • Office of Revenue and Recovery: For questions related to a bill or correspondence you received from the Office of Revenue and Recovery, please call Juvenile Services at 619-515-6200, option 4. Please have your account number ready.
    • Public Defender’s Office: For questions about court-appointed legal representation, please call 619-338-4700.
    • Probation Department: For questions regarding juvenile detention, electronic monitoring, or probation and home supervision, please call 619-694-4600.