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 buildings, which include barracks-style living units, schools, medical, and recreational facilities. CJH holds “pre-disposition” juvenile offenders. These are juveniles who 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 a different compensation amount, the $4 billion will cover a total of approximately 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 receive much more, while others will receive 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
If you were sexually abused at Central Juvenile Hall, you may be asking yourself whether it is too late to take legal action. In most cases, it is not. California law has changed in ways that give survivors much more time to come forward.
For abuse that happened on or after January 1, 2024, there is no statute of limitations. You can file a lawsuit at any point in your life, no matter how many years have passed.
For abuse that happened before that date, the old rules still apply. You can file a claim until you turn 40, or within five years of realizing that the abuse caused lasting psychological harm, whichever comes later.
But… this is the important part… even if the sexual abuse took place decades ago, you may still qualify. Los Angeles County recently agreed to pay $4 billion to settle thousands of claims, including many that were considered too old under the prior rules. Survivors are still being heard, and many are receiving meaningful compensation.
Why would they pay settlements on those claims? They know the law may change again, and they want finality to this litigation exposure. It is $4 billion so far. They do not want and cannot afford to be just a drop in the bucket of what they owe their victims. So they are paying claims that are past the statute of limitations, and we feel confident they will again.
The safest step is not to assume that time has run out. Talk to a lawyer about your experience and learn whether your case can still move forward.
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 the factors that would be evaluated in determining the potential settlement value of your case, those factors that would push you above (or below) the average per person settlements in these juvenile hall lawsuits.
Severity of the Abuse
The nature and extent of the abuse you suffered is one of the most important factors in determining compensation. If the abuse was prolonged, repeated, or especially violent, your case may fall into a higher compensation category. Many institutional settlements use tiered or point systems, where the most serious cases, such as those involving multiple abusers or physical violence, receive larger payouts.
Evidence and Documentation
The strength of your case often depends on the quality of the evidence available. Records such as prior complaints, incident reports, medical or psychological evaluations, and witness statements can make your claim stronger. If there is proof that the institution knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to protect you, the value of your case increases significantly.
Psychological and Long-Term Impact
Abuse in a juvenile facility can have lasting effects on your mental health and your future. Many survivors face PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Compensation often reflects how deeply these injuries have shaped your life. If you need ongoing therapy or if your education, work, or relationships were disrupted, you may be entitled to higher compensation.
Age of the Survivor
The age you were at the time of the abuse is another important factor. The younger you were, the more serious the developmental and emotional impact tends to be. Courts and juries recognize that abuse at an early age leaves deeper scars, which often leads to higher compensation.
The Quality of Your Lawyer
Who you choose to represent you can also have a significant effect on the outcome. These cases are complex and heavily defended. You do not want just any lawyer handling your claim. An experienced sex abuse lawyer knows how to build evidence, explain the lasting harm you have suffered, and hold powerful institutions accountable. The right lawyer can make the difference between a low settlement and meaningful compensation that truly reflects what you went through.
When Will Survivors Get Paid in the Juvenile Hall Lawsuits?
One of the most common questions survivors ask is how long it will take to receive compensation. The $4 billion Los Angeles County settlement is being paid out in stages over several years, and no two cases move on exactly the same timeline. Each claim is reviewed by an independent allocation panel that looks at the facts of your case, including the severity of the abuse, its impact on your life, and any supporting evidence.
This review process takes time, but it also ensures that compensation is tailored to your experience rather than divided evenly. While some survivors may receive their settlement payout sooner than others.
If you have not yet filed a claim, you are not included in the current payouts. We will start over with you, but the next round will have fewer plaintiffs, and we will already have a developed settlement process. So it is expected to be shorter and easier. But you must come forward and file a lawsuit to be eligible. Survivors who wait risk missing future deadlines or being excluded from subsequent settlement rounds. Speaking with a juvenile hall lawyer now is the best way to understand when you could expect payment and what your claim might be worth.
Why You Need a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you were sexually abused while detained at Central Juvenile Hall or another Los Angeles County juvenile facility, the lawyer you choose will play a major role in the outcome of your case. These are not ordinary lawsuits. They involve going up against powerful institutions like the Los Angeles County Probation Department, which has a long history of denying responsibility and fighting claims, notwithstanding the $4 billion settlement deal they just made.
Not every attorney is prepared for that fight. A general personal injury lawyer, maybe your former criminal lawyer, may not understand how to build a case that proves institutional negligence, documents the lasting psychological harm of abuse, and pushes for the full settlement payout you deserve. Survivors who hire lawyers experienced in juvenile facility sexual abuse cases tend to recover more because their attorneys know how to gather evidence, work with experts, and overcome the tactics they use to minimize payouts.
The right lawyer also gives you more than just legal experience. Survivors need someone who knows how to handle these cases with compassion, patience, and respect. You should never feel like just another case file. You should feel like you have an advocate who believes you, understands what you went through, and will fight until you receive fair compensation.
If you are considering a lawsuit, do not trust your case to just any lawyer. Talk to a juvenile hall sexual abuse lawyer who has the experience and focus to hold Los Angeles County accountable and help you move forward.
Contact Us About LA Central 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.