In Re Charles G.

Juvenile delinquency laws permit a juvenile court to retain jurisdiction over a ward until he or she reaches the age of 21 or, in some circumstances, the age of 25. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 607, subds. (a) & (b); further section references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.)

Charles G. (appellant), still a ward of the juvenile court at the age of 20 based upon his delinquent conduct, violated terms of his probation. Probation was reinstated on the condition that he serve a period of confinement. On appeal, he contends that (1) the juvenile court lacked authority to detain him in an adult facility pending the hearing on whether he violated probation, and (2) after finding that he did violate terms of his probation, the court lacked authority to sanction him with further confinement in the adult facility.

Although the appeal is now moot because appellant has served his term of confinement and his probation has been terminated, he asks us to rule on the merits because the issues are of continuing public concern and are likely to recur. (See In re Christina A. (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 1153, 1159 [ 111 Cal.Rptr.2d 310 ].) For guidance of the juvenile court, we shall…