San Bernardino Juvenile Dependency Attorneys

Anyone who has been accused of child neglect or child abuse could be facing a range of consequences, including the loss of custody of their children. If you have found yourself in this situation, you need to seek assistance from a skilled San Bernardino dependency lawyer as soon as possible. At ALL Trial Lawyers, we have the resources and experience necessary to deliver the best results possible for your case. We want to make sure that you have someone by your side telling your story.

Understanding a “Dependency” Case in San Bernardino

In the state of California, dependency cases are created if the parent or legal guardian of a child is accused by law enforcement or social services of abuse or neglect. In general, these cases arise when a person witnesses what they think is child abuse or neglect and reports what they saw to various agencies. This can include calls to 911, Children and Family Services (CFS), or local police departments.

After a report gets made, CFS will open a formal investigation and send a social worker into the home to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse or neglect. However, if 911 was called to report an emergency, the initial report may be made by law enforcement officials who investigate the situation.

Investigations by social services typically include interviews with both parents or guardians as well as the child. There is usually a walkthrough of the residents to check for any possible safety hazards as well.

After CFS conducts their investigation, they will decide whether a child needs to be removed from the home and become a dependent of the court.  If your child is removed, we can assist with getting your child home as soon as possible, and helping relatives get placement if needed.

Can a Dependency Case Be Brought Against Me?

When we examine the law related to dependency cases (Welfare and Institutions Code 300), we can see that a child can be made a dependent of the court under various circumstances, including the following:

• The child suffered serious physical harm or is determined to be at risk of suffering a serious injury.
• The child suffered a serious injury or illness, or there is a risk the child could suffer a serious injury or illness due to the lack of supervision or willful neglect to provide the child with clothing, shelter, food, or medical care.
• The child has been sexually abused or is at risk of being sexually abused.
• A parent or guardian knew the child was being sexually abused and failed to act to stop the abuse.
• The child suffered or is at risk of suffering serious emotional or psychological damage due to the lack of parental or guardian care.
• A parent or guardian caused the death of another child through abuse or neglect.
• The child has been left alone without proper means to support themselves.
• A child under the age of five was severely injured by physical abuse by a parent or guardian or by a person the parent or guardian knew was abusing the child.

Call a San Bernardino Dependency Attorney Today

If you are facing accusations of child abuse or child neglect, you need to be ready for a  battle with Children and Family Services. At ALL Trial Lawyers, our team is standing by to help you get through this difficult process. We have extensive experience handling complex dependency cases, and we know what it takes to help obtain the best possible results on your behalf. We want to help tell your story, so let us ensure that your rights are upheld throughout this process. When you need a San Bernardino dependency lawyer, you can contact us for a consultation of your case by clicking here or calling us at (866) 811-4255.