Lawsuit Information Center
On this page, we will look at Los Angeles Central Juvenile Hall sex abuse lawsuits. Juvenile inmates at Central Juvenile Hall in LA who were the victims of sexual abuse may be able to bring civil lawsuits against LA County for negligently failing to protect them. Significant financial compensation is now available to successful plaintiffs.
If you have a potential lawsuit for sexual abuse at Central Juvenile Hall, call our California sex abuse lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.
About Central Juvenile Hall
Central Juvenile Hall (CJH) is a juvenile detention facility serving downtown Los Angeles. CJH was first opened in 1912, becoming the very first juvenile detention facility in Los Angeles County. CJH is very large facility occupying over 20 acres in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles.
CJH can accommodate over 400 juvenile inmates at a time. The facility has 24 building which include barracks style living units, schools, medical, and recreational facilities. CJH hold “pre-disposition” juvenile offenders. These are juveniles that have been charged with serious criminal offenses and remanded to custody while they await adjudication and sentencing.
Sexual Abuse at Central Juvenile Hall
Much like all juvenile facilities in LA, CJH has developed a deeply troubling reputation for the harsh treatment of its juvenile inmates. Reports indicate that correctional staff frequently resort to physical force, including the use of shackles, body slams, and other aggressive restraint techniques to maintain control. The abuse at CJH is a reflection of the broader pattern of abuse and mistreatment within California’s state juvenile detention system.
Recent lawsuits and investigations have exposed widespread sexual abuse at CJH and other juvenile facilities, revealing that such misconduct persisted for years due to administrative negligence and inadequate oversight by the Los Angeles County Probation Department (LACPD). The LACPD is responsible for the operation and supervision of all juvenile detention facilities in the county, including CJH.
At Central Juvenile Hall, sexual abuse has most often been perpetrated by correctional officers and other staff members who exploit their positions of power and unmonitored access to manipulate and coerce youth into sexual acts. Coercion typically involves threats of physical harm or loss of privileges, as well as offering rewards or special treatment in exchange for compliance.
Allegations of sexual abuse, institutional cover-ups, and administrative failure have afflicted all juvenile detention facilities in Los Angeles County for decades. Common patterns across these institutions include:
- Sexual misconduct by staff and correctional officers
- Failure to protect minors from known abusers
- Negligent hiring and supervision of high-risk personnel
- Intimidation and retaliation against victims
- Administrative indifference toward credible reports of abuse
What Qualifies As Sexual Abuse?
The legal definition of sexual abuse in California is sexual touching without consent. This involves 2 elements: (1) sexual touching, and (2) lack of consent. The first element requires that the touching be intentional and for the express purpose of sexual gratification. The second element requires lack of consent. Minors (under age 18) do not have the legal ability to give consent to sexual contact with adult, so lack of consent is automatic.
California Penal Code § 289.6 makes it very clear that ANY type of sexual contact with a juvenile in custody is sexual abuse – and consent is never a valid defense due to the coercive nature of the custodial relationship.
$4 Billion LA County Juvenile Abuse Settlement
In April 2025, Los Angeles County approved a $4 billion settlement to resolve over 6,000 claims alleging sexual abuse of juvenile inmates in detention facilities. The settlement covers claims of abuse dating back to the late 1950s.
The settlement compensation will be paid out over a period of several years. Each survivor’s compensation will be different. The amount of compensation a claimant gets will be decided by a panel of independent allocation experts. The panel will evaluate the facts of each claim and determine awards based on factors such as the severity of abuse, the duration of harm, the impact on the victim’s life, etc.
Although each claimant will receive different compensation, the $4 billion will cover a total of roughly 7,000 claimants. If you simply divide the $4 billion compensation fund by the number of claimants, it results in an average per claim settlement payout of $570,000. Of course, this is a simplification. Some victims will actually get much more and other will get less.
The $4 billion settlement does NOT prevent future claims by other victims of sexual abuse in LA County juvenile detention centers.
Lawsuits For Sexual Abuse At Central Juvenile Hall
CJH is under the control and operational authority of the Los Angeles County Probation Department (LACPD). LACPD is fully responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations at CJH. This includes the screening, hiring, training, and supervision of correctional officers and staff. As the supervising authority, LACPD had a legal duty to ensure the safety, care, and custody of the juveniles housed at the facility.
LACPD may be held liable for sexual abuse at Los Padrinos if it was aware of the problem but failed to take reasonable steps to protect inmates. To establish liability, a victim would need to demonstrate a direct connection between their abuse and LACPD’s negligence. This could include specific failures, such as ignoring prior complaints against known abusers, or systemic issues like inadequate policies and poor staff oversight.
Deadline for CJH Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Recent legislative changes in California have greatly expanded the rights of survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek civil justice, removing many of the legal obstacles that previously prevented victims from pursuing claims in court.
For Abuse Occurring On or After January 1, 2024
Effective January 1, 2024, California law abolishes the statute of limitations for civil claims related to childhood sexual abuse. This means survivors may now file a lawsuit at any point in their lives, regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.
For Abuse Occurring Before January 1, 2024
In cases of abuse that occurred prior to this date, the previous statute of limitations still governs. Under that framework, survivors must file a civil claim by the time they reach 40 years of age, or within five years of discovering the psychological impact of the abuse—whichever is later.
Settlement Value of CJH Sex Abuse Lawsuits
For survivors of abuse at Central Juvenile Hall, filing a lawsuit offers the opportunity to hold LA County accountable and fight back against a broken system. While no financial settlement can erase the trauma endured, fair compensation can help address the enduring costs of abuse. From therapy expenses and lost opportunities to the emotional toll on relationships and personal well-being, financial recovery plays a meaningful role in the healing process.
We already have a general idea about the potential settlement value of CJH sexual abuse lawsuits based on the per-claimant average payout in the $4 billion settlement discussed above. Below are some of factors that would be evaluated in determining the potential settlement value of an individual case.
Severity of the Abuse
The nature and extent of the abuse are critical factors in determining the value of a settlement. Cases involving prolonged, repeated, or especially violent abuse often result in higher compensation. Many institutional abuse settlements are structured using tiered or point-based systems, where the most serious offenses—particularly those involving multiple perpetrators or physical violence—fall into higher compensation brackets.
Evidence and Documentation
The strength of a survivor’s case often hinges on the availability and quality of evidence. Documentation such as prior complaints, incident reports, medical or psychological records, and witness statements can significantly strengthen a claim. When there is proof that the institution knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to act, the likelihood of a more substantial settlement increases.
Psychological and Long-Term Impact
Abuse suffered in a juvenile facility can have profound and lasting psychological effects, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Compensation often reflects the long-term nature of these injuries. Survivors who require ongoing mental health care or who have experienced significant disruption to their education, employment, or relationships may be entitled to higher settlement amounts.
Age of the Survivor
The age at which the abuse occurred is also an important consideration. Younger victims often experience more severe developmental and emotional consequences, which courts and juries tend to recognize. As a result, survivors abused at a very young age may receive higher compensation due to the deeper and more enduring impact on their emotional and psychological development.
Contact Us About Sylmar Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits
If you were sexually abused at Central Juvenile Hall, contact our California juvenile sex abuse lawyers today for a free consultation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.
Other California Juvenile Facilities