Opinion ID: 2606356
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the governing statutory framework

Text: Before beginning our analysis, it is helpful to review the statutory framework governing this matter. Section 247 provides for the appointment of juvenile court referees. Under section 248, a juvenile court referee shall hear such cases as are assigned to him or her by the presiding judge of the juvenile court, with the same powers as a judge of the juvenile court, except that a referee shall not conduct any hearing to which the state or federal constitutional prohibitions against double jeopardy apply unless all of the parties thereto stipulate in writing that the referee may act in the capacity of a temporary judge. Section 249 provides that [n]o order of a referee removing a minor from his home shall become effective until expressly approved by a judge of the juvenile court. (See also rule 1417(b)(1) [establishing an approval period of two court days].) [T]he requirement of approval by a juvenile court judge derives from the constitutional mandate that referees are restricted to performing `subordinate judicial duties.' (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 22; see In re Edgar M. [(1975)] 14 Cal.3d [727,] 732 [122 Cal. Rptr. 574, 537 P.2d 406].) ... [T]hat constitutional requirement is fully satisfied by obtaining the countersignature of a juvenile court judge, so long as opportunity to seek a full rehearing remains available on request. ( In re John H. (1978) 21 Cal.3d 18, 26 [145 Cal. Rptr. 357, 577 P.2d 177].) Section 250 states that [e]xcept as provided in Section 251, all orders of a referee other than those specified in Section 249 shall become immediately effective, subject also to the right of review as hereinafter provided, and shall continue in full force and effect until vacated or modified upon rehearing by order of the judge of the juvenile court.[ [3] ] In a case in which an order of a referee becomes effective without approval of a judge of the juvenile court, it becomes final on the expiration of the time allowed by Section 252 for application for rehearing, if application therefor is not made within such time and if the judge of the juvenile court has not within such time ordered a rehearing pursuant to Section 253. [¶] Where a referee sits as a temporary judge, his or her orders become final in the same manner as orders made by a judge. [4] Section 252, in turn, provides that [a]t any time prior to the expiration of 10 days after service of a written copy of the order and findings of a referee, a minor or his parent or guardian may apply to the juvenile court for a rehearing.... If an application for rehearing is not granted, denied, or extended within 20 days following the date of its receipt, it shall be deemed granted. However, the court, for good cause, may extend such period beyond 20 days, but not in any event beyond 45 days, following the date of receipt of the application, at which time the application for rehearing shall be deemed granted unless it is denied within such period. (See also § 248.5 [requiring service within three judicial days].) Finally, section 253 states that [a] judge of the juvenile court may, on his own motion made within 20 judicial days of the hearing before a referee, order a rehearing of any matter heard before a referee. (1) Although there is no provision authorizing a petition for rehearing by the People, a juvenile court judge can consider an informal request to grant rehearing on the judge's own motion provided that a minor is given notice of the request and a reasonable opportunity to respond. ( In re Winnetka V. (1980) 28 Cal.3d 587, 595 [169 Cal. Rptr. 713, 620 P.2d 163].) If a juvenile court judge grants rehearing of a matter heard before a juvenile court referee, the judge shall conduct the rehearing de novo. (§ 254.)