Rule 5.782.Continuance pending disposition hearing

Division 3. Juvenile Rules · Chapter 13. Cases Petitioned Under Sections 601 and 602 · Article 3. Jurisdiction · Last amended 2007 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.782 sets how long disposition may be put off after jurisdiction is found, and allows a diagnostic placement for observation.

Full Text of Rule 5.782

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) Continuance pending disposition hearing (§ 702)

If the court finds that the child is described by section 601 or 602, it must proceed to a disposition hearing. The court may continue the disposition hearing up to 10 judicial days if the child is detained. If the child is not detained, the court may continue the disposition hearing up to 30 calendar days from the date of the filing of the petition and up to an additional 15 calendar days for good cause shown.

(b) Detention pending hearing (§ 702)

The court may release or detain the child during the period of the continuance.

If the child is eligible for commitment to the Youth Authority, the court may continue the disposition hearing up to 90 calendar days and order the child to be placed temporarily at a Youth Authority diagnostic and treatment center for observation and diagnosis. The court must order the Youth Authority to submit a diagnosis and recommendation within 90 days, and the probation officer or any other peace officer designated by the court must place the child in the diagnostic and treatment center and return the child to the court. After return from the diagnostic and treatment center, the child must be brought to court within 2 judicial days. A disposition hearing must be held within 10 judicial days thereafter.

End

Plain-English Summary

Once the court finds the child is described by the governing statute it must proceed to disposition — but it may pause. Where the child is detained the disposition hearing may be continued up to 10 judicial days. Where the child is not detained it may be continued up to 30 calendar days from the filing of the petition, plus up to 15 more for good cause. The child may be released or detained during the continuance.

A longer pause exists for one purpose. Where the child is eligible for commitment, the court may continue disposition up to 90 calendar days and place the child temporarily at a diagnostic and treatment center for observation and diagnosis, ordering a diagnosis and recommendation back within 90 days. The child is placed and returned by the probation officer or a designated peace officer, must be brought to court within 2 judicial days of return, and the disposition hearing follows within 10 judicial days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can disposition be continued?

Up to 10 judicial days if the child is detained. If not detained, up to 30 calendar days from the filing of the petition, and up to an additional 15 calendar days for good cause shown.

What is a diagnostic placement?

Where the child is eligible for commitment, the court may continue disposition up to 90 calendar days and place the child temporarily at a diagnostic and treatment center for observation and diagnosis, with a diagnosis and recommendation due back within 90 days.

What happens after the child returns from the diagnostic center?

The child must be brought to court within 2 judicial days, and a disposition hearing must be held within 10 judicial days after that.

Amendment History

Rule 5.782 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1489 effective January 1, 1991.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.) (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: continuance pending disposition delinquency Californiasection 704 diagnostic study juveniledisposition hearing continuance detained child