PROTECTIVE CUSTODY WARRANTS

Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) Section 340

&
WARRANT OF ARREST PARENT/GUARDIAN
Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) Section 339

FACT SHEET
 THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT &
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
COLLABORATION

 Arrest warrants for parents/guardians (WIC 339) and Protective Custody warrants for children
(WIC 340) are entered into the CJIS Database known as the Wanted Persons System (WPS).

 California Department of Justice conducted an on-site CJIS (California Justice Information System)
audit of Los Angeles County WIC 339 and WIC 340 entries into WPS, which necessitated
modifications to the current process.

 The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Records and Identification Bureau worked very closely with
the California Department of Justice, the Los Angeles Superior Court and the Department of
Children and Family Services to arrive at a process which would delineate each agency’s role and
responsibilities as they relate to protective custody (WIC 340) and parent/guardian arrest (WIC
339) warrants.
 LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT &
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
COLLABORATION CONTINUED
 In order to adhere to California Justice Information System (CJIS) guidelines reference Section 2
Policy and Procedures, a law enforcement agency Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) accessible
24 hours needs to be entered for every child/parent or guardian warrant.

 To ensure California warrant information is shared nationwide, the filing of a missing person report
executed is an effective corresponding solution since DCFS is not an authorized law enforcement
agency to obtain this ORI as per CJIS requirements.

 By combining the warrants and the missing person report, law enforcement has information
immediately accessible to reunite minor to Social Worker or guardian and arrest parent on the
warrant.
 STEPS TAKEN BY LASD
 Records and Identification Bureau sent letters to all Los Angeles County law enforcement
agencies to inform them of the updated procedures for Protective Custody Warrants (WIC 340)
and Warrants of Arrest Parent/Guardian (WIC 339). All letters cited appropriate CJIS
guidelines.

 Records and Identification Bureau informed all Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Stations of the
updated procedures for Protective Custody Warrants and Warrants of Arrest Parent/Guardian,
including citing appropriate CJIS guidelines.