The Juvenile Court Judges of California (JCJC) began in 1987 when Judge Len Edwards of the Santa Clara Superior Court invited several juvenile court presiding judges to meet and discuss issues of relevance to the juvenile courts. As a result of this gathering, the JCJC was born. To learn more about the history of JCJC, click here.

The JCJC is a section of the California Judges Association (CJA). All CJA members who are juvenile court judges are automatically considered members of the JCJC.

The JCJC provides a forum for the exchange of information, problem-solving, and program and policy development for the juvenile courts. It is the policy of the JCJC to support, promote, and implement as best as possible the guidelines articulated in Standard 5.40 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration entitled, “Juvenile Court Matters.” To read more about the purpose and operation of the JCJC, click here.

The JCJC has an active Legislative Committee that works closely with CJA lobbyists to propose legislation, review and comment on legislative proposals, and take positions on whether proposals should be adopted.

The JCJC also sponsors educational seminars on its own and in collaboration with the Judicial Council of California and the Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER).

Every year the JCJC honors one of its own as the Juvenile Court Judge of the Year. The award, named for the late Judge Wilmont Sweeney of Alameda County, is presented to a juvenile court judicial officer “who has shown leadership at the local level and/or has contributed to the improvement of the juvenile court statewide.” (See Article XII of bylaws.) Also, members who have served five years as juvenile court judicial officers are honored with a JCJC lapel pin. To see the list of prior Juvenile Court Judge of the Year honorees, click here.

A bonus for all members of JCJC. . . you can receive a free copy of The Role of the Juvenile Court Judge: Practice and Ethics. Just contact the CJA office and ask for your copy.

For more information on the JCJC, please contact any member of the JCJC Executive Committee.