NATIONAL NEWS

California asks court to give state control of Los Angeles County’s troubled juvenile halls

Jul 23, 2025, 11:33 AM

FILE - California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during a press conference on April 16, 2025, in...

FILE - California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during a press conference on April 16, 2025, in Ceres, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s top prosecutor said Wednesday he has asked a court to give the state control of Los Angeles County’s troubled juvenile detention facilities because incarcerated young people are enduring unsafe conditions, including violence and rampant drug abuse.

Attorney General Rob Bonta said he wants the county to hand over administration of the juvenile jails to a third-party receiver, a court-appointed official who will take over management and operations from the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The official will have control over budgets and staffing decisions.

“This is a last resort, but it’s also the one left to defend the safety of the young people in these facilities,” Bonta said. He said the “extraordinary step” was necessary because the county has failed to comply with a court order his office secured in 2021 requiring sweeping reforms.

The probation department, which oversees the juvenile halls, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Bonta outlined safety concerns such as “youth on youth” violence, riots, “unmet medical needs,” low staffing, inadequate security cameras and drug overdoses, including one that led to the death of a teenager. Earlier this year Bonta indicted 30 probation officers accused of facilitating so-called “gladiator fights” between incarcerated juveniles.

“These young people deserve better, and my office will not stop until they get it,” Bonta said. “A receivership is the best and only option to turn Los Angeles County juvenile halls around, and we believe the court will agree.”

In addition, the attorney general asked the court to establish a compensation fund for incarcerated youth “to redress and repair the injuries suffered in the county’s custody” and to cover medical and education expenses.

A hearing is set for Aug. 15. Bonta said if the court approves the plan, a receiver could be in place by the end of the summer.

Previously, the Board of State and Community Corrections issued “unsuitable” designations for the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. The state board, which inspects the youth prisons, had determined that the county had been unable to correct problems including inadequate safety checks, low staffing, use of force and a lack of recreation and exercise.

Bonta’s request on Wednesday comes four years after California phased out its three remaining state-run youth prisons and shifted the responsibility to counties.

The move to local control was the final step in a lengthy reform effort driven in part by a class-action lawsuit and incentives for counties to keep youths out of the state system. The state-run system also had a troubled history marked by inmate suicides and brawls.

National News

FILE - Jack Ruby, second from left, talks with defense attorney Sam Houston Clinton, Jr., far left,...

Associated Press

Ghislaine Maxwell may testify before Congress. A look at other convicted criminals who’ve done so

The U.S. Congress is poised to subpoena controversial testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of helping financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. If those efforts are successful, Maxwell may join a long list of prominent people — ranging from mafiosos to white-collar criminals — who shifted […]

2 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks during an AI summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Wednesday, Ju...

Associated Press

Appeals court finds Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional, upholds block

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide. The ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after the push was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire, and […]

2 hours ago

Associated Press

Columbia University reaches a deal with Trump to restore federal research funds

NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus, the university announced Wednesday. Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay the $200 […]

3 hours ago

Ukrainian military recruits train at the polygon in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 16, 2...

Associated Press

State Department approves $322 million in proposed weapons sales to Ukraine

The State Department said Wednesday that it has approved $322 million in proposed weapons sales to Ukraine to enhance its air defense capabilities and provide armored combat vehicles, coming as the country works to fend off escalating Russian attacks. The potential sales, which the department said were notified to Congress, include $150 million for the […]

3 hours ago

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell exits the West Wing of the White House, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washin...

Associated Press

Mike Lindell celebrates victory after appeals court voids $5M award in election data dispute

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal appeals court handed a victory Wednesday to Mike Lindell, ruling that the MyPillow founder doesn’t have to pay a $5 million award to a software engineer who disputed data that Lindell claims proves that China interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that […]

3 hours ago

Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle wipes a tear at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Ko...

Associated Press

Families of slain University of Idaho students share emotions at Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing

The families and loved ones of the four students stabbed to death in a home near the University of Idaho campus faced Bryan Kohberger during his sentencing in a Boise court Wednesday in an outpouring of grief, anger and even forgiveness. Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four life sentences without parole for four counts […]

3 hours ago

California asks court to give state control of Los Angeles County’s troubled juvenile halls