This hearing must take place within 14 days of your child being removed by the CPS. Sometimes the court grants a delay of up to 7 days, but only in certain situations. This is one of the most important hearings in your case and you`ll want to have a lawyer to help you prepare. (For more information on working with your lawyer, see page 79.) If you qualify for a free lawyer but none have been appointed, ask the court to postpone the hearing date so that a lawyer can be appointed to represent you. Juvenile Dependency Court Orientation – a video about the trial for parents whose children have been removed from their custody. When the judge comes in, a court official will say, « Everyone stands up. » Everyone has to stand up. When the judge sits down, everyone can sit down again. There will be two tables facing the judge. This is where you sit, your child`s lawyers, CPS and LAGs, and others involved in the case when your case is called. In some hearings, the people in your case may stand between those tables and the judge`s bench. Follow your lawyer`s example in this regard.
At the back of the courtroom, there will be chairs or benches for people waiting for their case to be called. Never wear a hat or sunglasses, and do not chew gum, eat or drink anything in the courtroom. The court issues injunctions against the child or refers the child to the parent, guardian or parent. If the child is not returned, cps will be designated as the temporary primary custodian and the court will establish guidelines regarding the parties` rights, visits, child support and services to be performed (e.B. Counselling, substance abuse assessments, random drug testing, anger management and parenting courses). The case must be dismissed or the court must make a final order on the guardianship of the child no later than that date. If the court does not return the child to the custody of the parent or guardian, the case may be continued for a subsequent hearing to consider how long to be held within 24 months of the date of the first deportation, but only if the case involves a parent or guardian who is participating in a drug treatment program or who has just been placed in an institution or detention. ==References== Otherwise, the court will schedule a hearing to establish a permanent plan for adoption, guardianship or long-term foster care. Once a permanent plan is selected, a hearing is held every six months to determine if progress is being made in finding a permanent home for the child.
These hearings will continue until your child is adopted, permanent guardianship is established, the case is dismissed, or your child turns 18. With a few exceptions, the court must provide you with services to help you find your child (put him or her back in your care). The social worker assigned to your case will use your feedback to develop reunification services. The judge will order you to complete all reunification services. You should start participating in these services immediately, as you will need to complete all reunification services to pick up your child and you will only have a limited time to do so. During reunification, juvenile courts are required to regularly review the status of each dependent child in foster care and to assess the parents` progress in their case plans. These hearings are used to determine whether the child can be safely returned home and, if not, whether reunification services should be continued or interrupted in cases where outside accommodation is still needed. At the detention hearing, the court will decide whether the child should be handed over to the parent or remain in custody until a court hears the allegations contained in the application. The child must be released unless the court finds that the county has provided prima facie evidence of the risk of harm sufficient to justify the child`s continued detention. As a parent or guardian, you have the right to provide all relevant evidence and call all witnesses necessary to refute the county case, and you have the right to cross-examine all witnesses against you.
Again, the court is required to entrust the child to the custody of the parent, unless there is a significant risk of harm to the child`s well-being that requires continued placement outside the child. The disadvantages must be proven by a preponderance of evidence. Once the court has asked you to participate in reunification services, your next hearing will not last 6 months. During these six months, you should participate in the reunification services available to you. If you make progress, your child may be returned to you before the next hearing date. It`s important to stay in touch with your lawyer and social worker to keep them informed of your progress toward achieving your reunification goals. If you think it`s safe for your child to return to your home, your lawyer can file documents asking the court to return your child. Finding that continued work release is necessary will result in the termination of reunification services and a hearing on a permanent adoption, guardianship or long-term care plan, unless the court finds that there is a substantial likelihood that the child will be released into the parent`s care within six months, or that adequate services have not been provided […].