The primary objective of juvenile dependency in California is to protect the well being of minors who are, or could be, at risk of being abused and/or neglected. If you have reason to believe that you could lose your parental rights of your child, it is important to act swiftly: seek the legal expertise of a San Bernardino juvenile dependency attorney who can defend your family against actions by CPS (Child Protective Services).
Depending on the county, agencies can have different names. For instance, the corresponding agency in San Bernardino County is called Children & Family Services (CFS) and Riverside County is called Child Protective Services (CPS). Crista Haynes is an Inland Empire CPS defense lawyer and is the only 4 California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist in Redlands. If you are struggling with a juvenile matter involving CFS in San Bernardino or CPS in Riverside, The Haynes Law Firm, APLC is available to provide a consultation regarding your case. Call (833) 526-5197 to schedule a consultation to get your immediate questions answered and get the legal representation you need.
The State of California has various agencies that are responsible for the wellbeing of the minors who reside within the state. Agencies will investigate an allegation with respect to child endangerment or neglect. If the agency finds that there is a legitimate concern for the welfare of a minor within a residence, the agency will seek to get involved with the family and will likely offer the parents to enter into a voluntary service or the agency will file a petition. Once the petition has been filed, the juvenile court will be involved in the case.
Once a petition is filed, the court could present charges against the parent or child caregiver. If charges are filed, it is likely the child will be removed from the home. This is to maintain protection of the child while the investigation and case proceeds towards completion. The overall goal of the court may be to provide a permanent placement for the minor depending on the circumstances.
An agency will become involved with a family when it has received a referral from a concerned party. Frequently, a referral can be presented to an agency through child abuse hotlines, where any person can make an anonymous tip to report the abuse. Once a referral has been made, an agency will investigate it and will finally determine what appropriate actions to take.
In the event that there is no evidence to support the referral, it is likely the agency will not take further steps to advance with the referral. On the other hand, if there is evidence to support the allegations, the agency will take the appropriate measures to safeguard the welfare of the minor.
In a juvenile dependency case, the parents of a child will have the same legal rights offered to them under California and federal law. It is worth noting that dependency cases in the State of California are complex and the regulations that apply could be numerous and highly complicated. Understanding current California law is imperative when undergoing a juvenile dependency hearing. If a petition has been filed against you, seek the legal knowledge of Crista Haynes, a juvenile dependency lawyer & California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist in Redlands.
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When it comes to juvenile dependency cases, both the parent and the minor have the right to be assisted by an attorney. This attorney can accompany them to all of the court hearings and can also help to present evidence to aid in their case. Juvenile dependency cases are difficult and can be very traumatic to experience. If you have any specific questions or concerns with regard to your case, allow an experienced family law attorney to help you.
The Inland Empire juvenile dependency attorneys at The Haynes Law Firm, APLC are highly dedicated to representing the rights of their clients facing juvenile dependency cases in Southern California. They are highly practiced in the family law and will work vigorously to uphold the rights of their clients in a court of law.
Attorney Crista Haynes, compassionately protects the rights of parents going through juvenile dependency cases and defends families against petitions filed by CPS or CFS. Crista is available for consultation and serves residents in Riverside and San Bernardino County including San Bernardino, Riverside, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa & Highland and surrounding. If you are in the middle of a juvenile dependency proceeding, California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist Crista Haynes is available to talk to you about your case.