All You Need To Know About Juvenile Dependency

By Deanne Shepard


The state is allowed by the law to come into the family set up to seek the protection of a child from harm within. This is called juvenile dependency action. A dependent child is a child who has been abandoned, abused or neglected or has no parent or guardian.

When seeking for dependency the first step is protective custody. This is where the judge rules whether the child is safe at home or if they should be under care in an out of home situation. The members of law enforcement are tasked with removing the child from the apparent risk and placing them in a place that is safer for 72 hours. This also provides an opportunity to address the problems that the state deemed fit to get involved.

The minors are placed in a home or an emergency foster care. During the hold, the case is investigated. From here the case may either be dismissed if there was no actual risk for the minor afterwards they are returned to their parents or guardians. The case may also be dismissed but with conditions such as specified services provision for the family. Another course of action is a dependency petition filed on behalf of the child.

The procedure of a dependency petition is often long. Detention hearing is the first step usually after the holding process. Using the intake report a judge makes a decision regarding the collected evidence whether the youth should continue under detention. The parents are also briefed on the proceedings. The minor may be released or detained while waiting a jurisdictional hearing.

If the juvenile is detained, the tribunal begins to look into the case and makes a report addressing the family history and dynamics. In addition, it reports on continued risk for these youths and makes suggestions about placement and reunification of the teenager. Visitation times by the family may be arranged.

A jurisdictional hearing is held not more than 15 days since the detention hearing. This is when court decides if the petition is true. The judge uses the report submitted to the court and rules for dependency of the minor. The outcome for a teenager may be ether released that is case dismissed or adjudicated as a dependent.

If the child is adjudicated as dependent, a disposition hearing follows the jurisdictional hearing immediately. Using the court report, the judge makes a ruling regarding minor placement and gives court orders in how the reunification should be carried out.

Often, periodic hearings are held to review the situation of both the parents and the kid. At 6 months the court reviews whether the situation has improved for the parents and how the kid is coping. A 12 and 18 month review is held to determine if the parents are ready for their child back. An implementation hearing is held to give permanent plans to the children. Of course the most permanent is adoption.

This process can be long and difficult emotionally to the parents and also to the kid. Seeking legal counsel would be a relief since they will handle most of the work in the court. It would also be advisable to cooperate with the legal system and Social Services as much as possible so that your child comes back home.




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