In Re Dennis H.

This proceeding was instituted by a petition for a writ of habeas corpus designed to secure the release of Dennis from a detention order entered by the Juvenile Court of Los Angeles County. We issued an order directing his release to the custody of his parents and ordering the probation officer and the court to show cause why we should not vacate the order of detention. The effect of that order was to grant the relief sought. However, since it is apparent that the issues involved are continuing issues in the administration of the Juvenile Court Act and that, because of time elements inherent in that process, appellate review could never be completed before an individual case became moot, we determine those issues in this opinion.

The probation officer of Los Angeles County filed in the juvenile court of that county a petition, alleging that Dennis was a person falling under section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in that he had committed the crime of assault with intent to commit rape. He also filed a petition, pursuant to section 656, seeking the detention hearing provided for by section 630 et seq. Such a hearing was held on April 5, 1971. The probation…