In re L.L. CA2/6

DISCUSSION

Precommitment Credits Appellant contends his pre-commitment credit should apply to his two-year baseline term in SYTF rather than his five-year maximum term of confinement. When a contention “hinges on a question of statutory construction—we exercise our independent review.” (City of Oxnard v. County of Ventura (2021) 71 Cal.App.5th 1010, 1015.) The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) stopped accepting wards into its facilities in July of 2021 after California realigned its juvenile justice system. (§ 736.5, subd. (e).) Wards who would have been committed to DJJ prior to realignment are

1 Unmarked statutory references are to the Welfare and

Institutions Code.

2 The facts are derived from the probation report because

appellant admitted the petition’s allegations.

2 now committed to county-based SYTFs “[t]o ensure that justice- involved youth are closer to their families and communities and receive age-appropriate treatment.” (Stats. 2020, ch. 337, § 1, subd. (b).) Sections 875, 875.5, and 876 govern the commitment of section 602 wards to SYTFs under the new dispositional model. Section 875, subdivision (c)(1)(C) states: “Precommitment credits for time served must…