In some cases, judges can make decisions or decisions without parents, guardians, guardians or other caregivers present in court. A judge may exempt a parent`s lawyer from representation if the parent does not appear in court. Is a CPS or juvenile court report finding abuse, neglect or dependence on the criminal record? does not have a parent, guardian or guardian who can take good care of them, so there is a risk of serious harm to the child A social worker investigates by talking to you, your child, people you and your family know, and looking at where you live. The social worker can talk to your child at school without you being present. The social worker does not need a court order to talk to your child at school until there is a police officer present when the social worker talks to your child. Once the social worker has spoken to your child at school, they should tell you that they interviewed your child at school. A domestic crime petition may claim that a person has harmed or threatened a family or household member. Once the motion is filed, a judge can sign a formal court document called a preliminary protection order. This orders the accused to immediately stop harming or threatening the family or household member, and may even order that a family member be removed from the home.

The injunction will remain in effect for 90 days or until the court makes another order, whichever comes first. A “petition” is the document submitted by the CPS alleging abuse, neglect or addiction to begin court intervention in a child`s situation. A second hearing will be held 30 days after the 72-hour hearing. The judge checks whether the situation has changed. The CPS cannot place your child in a dwelling for more than 30 days without a court order. If a child is in foster care for twelve (12) months or more, a matter called a foster family review will be filed in family court. The court decides what to do with the child in foster care. This verification could result in a parent losing custody of their child or a child being returned to their parents.

If a child remains in foster care, there must be another hearing in a year. The parent has the right to a lawyer in a foster family. A child may ask the court to appoint a lawyer to represent him or her in an addiction. The court considers the age of the child, whether the child is in the custody of the State, whether the interests of the child coincide with others in the case, whether the child disputes the facts and whether the child makes complex arguments against the measure proposed by the State. With regard to dependence on E.H. and S.K.-P., WA. Sup. Ct.

rendered its decision on October 4, 2018. Court reporter The court reporter records every word spoken during hearings on a special machine. Once the court ends reunification services, your reunification period is over and the court must create a permanent plan for your child. This is the plan that says who your child will live with in the long run. Court Officer The judicial officer is a deputy sheriff without uniform who is responsible for order and security in the courtroom. In the settlement agreement or the judge`s decision, if there is a trial, it is indicated whether the child is dependent. If so, there will be a “decision order” that says: If you are facing a long-term prison sentence, you retain a meaningful role in the child`s life, AND it is in the best interests of the child, CPS should consider a permanent placement such as guardianship so that you can maintain a relationship with the child. If you do not participate in the services specified in your reunification plan, the court may terminate your services. If your services are terminated, it means that the focus of your case has shifted from meeting with your child to finding a permanent home (who is not with you) for your child. Children`s Case Management Services Policy Manual – contains written rules that CPS must follow when investigating or providing services. Through the FAR, you and the CPS can work to develop a service and support plan to keep your child safe at home. If you sign an agreement with the FAR employee, your family can receive services for up to 90 days.

If you can pay a lawyer, you will need to hire one. How to Find a Lawyer has phone numbers for attorney placement services throughout the state. The Family Court deals mainly with the problems of children and their families. The court hears the following cases: Will the child be informed of the case or will he go to court? Once all the evidence is gathered and social services have said what their final plans are for the child, the court will hold a hearing to resolve the issues to see if some or all of the issues can be agreed. Sometimes parents agree that a child should live with a parent, for example, and when everything is agreed, the court can make final orders and close the case immediately, which is easier for everyone. If someone disagrees with the plans, the court will schedule a final hearing. To prevent your child from being placed with strangers, give your relatives` information to the social worker. Click here for a guide to the addiction court: For Loved Ones and/or Caregivers. This is a new development that is being piloted in some areas. If everyone agrees, the court can call a conciliation conference to try to encourage everyone to come to an agreement without a lengthy hearing.

It is a bit like mediation led by a judge. Information on settlement conferences can be found here. A paternity petition is filed with the Family Court for a formal decision on whether or not an accused is the father of an illegitimate child. Often, the person claiming paternity or the person accused of being the child`s father will require a blood test or court order. Any party or the court may request that another test be performed, called an HLA test. This test often shows whether a man is the father of the child or not, but the cost of the test can be significant. (In some cases, the Ministry of Social Services pays for the test.) No. It depends on the family`s situation and the ability of the parents or caregivers to provide a safe home. However, if a child is removed from the home with a court order, the parents must correct the situation (p. e.g., through substance abuse treatment, attending parenting classes, establishing a safe home, etc.) before the court allows the child to return home. In general, the goal of juvenile court proceedings is to “reunite” families, meaning that children are returned to their parents when they are safe and cared for at home.

Probation Officer The probation officer works for the county probation service. Generally, no probation officer is present in family court unless the judge requests the presence of the probation officer. Sometimes the judge orders the probation service to collect information about the people involved in a case and report back to the court. *You are not required to participate in a FAR. If you disagree with the FAR, CPS will investigate. Registrar An employee of a social welfare agency who is involved in a case is usually called a clerk. Social workers often have to gather information about the people involved in a case and report back to the court. are used to notify you by mail or in person of a scheduled hearing or other formal legal proceedings. A PIN application may be filed (once written permission from the probation service has been obtained) to ask the court at the injunction hearing to order that the child be treated or supervised.

Like a juvenile offender, a PIN can be locked up in an institution, placed in a group home, placed under conditional supervision or released on conditional release. Any party to a dependency may apply to the court for a guardian for a child in foster care. The hearing to decide whether the child gets a guardian is part of the addiction. As a general rule, all parties must accept guardianship. Judicial forms of guardianship are www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=83. If you are a parent involved in such a case, you have the right to a lawyer, you do not have to pay. They are independent of social services and advise you so that you can make decisions about your options and your case. It is important to seek advice as soon as possible. Judge The judge is in charge of the courtroom and decides what happens in a case.

He or she sits at a desk (also called a bench) at the front of the courtroom. As in other courts, the judge wears a black robe. Read this if you are involved in child protection services but there is no trial, or if Washington State (via DSHS, CPS, the Attorney General`s Office) has filed a lawsuit to take your child away from you.