Tana Senn, the director of the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families, began a note to the governor’s budget director lamenting her agency’s predicament.

More than 100 new lawsuits have been filed against San Diego County in recent weeks by adults who claim they were taken to ...

Instead of traditional prosecution, eligible youth are connected to services such as counseling and education. If they successfully complete the program, prosecutors dismiss the case.