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Juvenile Dependency
Our firm has successfully handled Juvenile Dependency cases in both Federal and State Court, and we can help you.

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Juvenile Dependency

Juvenile Dependency Hearings

Juvenile dependency hearings are a legal process that combine facets of both criminal and civil law. During a juvenile dependency hearing, in which it is extremely advisable to be represented by an experienced dependency attorney, the court will determine whether the parent or guardian of a child is fit to have custody of a child.

During a dependency hearing, the court may order that the child become a “dependent of the court,” and order that the child either live in the parents’ home with court supervision, or even that the child live with another home, also under court supervision. A person has a right to be represented by a juvenile dependency attorney during this hearing, and only a capable juvenile dependency lawyer can help ensure that a parent does not lose custody of his or her child, whether temporarily or even permanently.

If the court decides that the child should be placed in another home, this does not necessarily mean that parental rights are completely severed. The court will continue to review the case at least every six months until one year has passed. At that point, the court can decide to stop reunification efforts between parent and child and take the child permanently away. A dependency attorney can advise the parent as to the steps he or she can take in order to fulfill the court’s demands so that the child can be placed back in the parents’ custody. The court will develop a case plan that may include parenting classes, counseling or drug or alcohol treatment, depending on the particular case, and a juvenile dependency lawyer is often instrumental in developing a plan that the parent can follow to regain custody.

If the court does not decide to give the child back to the parent after that time, there are only three choices. The court can end the parent’s legal rights and place the child up for adoption, can appoint a legal guardian for the child, or place the child in long-term foster care. The first completely severs the parent-child relationship, but all three choices can be equally dire for both parent and child. This is why it is imperative that a parent who wishes to retain custody of their child seek the help of a juvenile dependency attorney when facing a dependency court case.

With the help of an experienced juvenile dependency lawyer, a parent can successfully defend against the very charges that brought the parent and child into dependency court. Not every dependency case ends with the court ordering the parent and child separated, particularly if the juvenile dependency attorney proves the allegations that brought the child into dependency court false. There are numerous defenses that a dependency lawyer can raise based on the allegations. After all, not every allegation of child endangerment is true, and cases can come before dependency courts based on anything from lies from a vindictive spouse to even an honest misinterpretation of events and circumstances. A juvenile dependency lawyer can effectively examine the witnesses and present the best possible case so that the parent will not lose custody of the child, even temporarily.