20+ year of experience
Trial ready
Personal attention
If Child Protective Services (CPS) is involved in your family’s life in Orange County, you’re likely overwhelmed — and for good reason. A CPS case can put your parental rights in jeopardy. You could lose custody of your child temporarily or even permanently if you don’t act fast.
At ALL Trial Lawyers, our lead attorney Mohammad Abuershaid has helped hundreds of parents throughout Southern California, including Orange County, fight CPS investigations and juvenile dependency court cases. We know the system. We know the stakes. And we know how to win.
This guide explains how the juvenile dependency process works in Orange County, what to expect at your first hearing, and how to protect your family from the start.
Juvenile dependency court in Orange County handles cases where a child is removed from a parent’s custody — or is at risk of removal — due to alleged abuse, neglect, or failure to protect. The process begins when CPS (also referred to as DCFS in some counties) files a dependency petition under Welfare and Institutions Code § 300.
Your case will likely take place at:
📍 Lamoreaux Justice Center
700 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92701
If you’ve received a notice to appear in juvenile dependency court, you must act immediately to protect your rights.
Wondering how juvenile dependency court works in Orange County? Below is a step-by-step guide to the Orange County dependency process, so you know what’s coming and how to prepare.
If CPS has removed your child from your care, the first hearing is the detention hearing, which takes place within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays). The judge will decide whether your child will remain in foster care or be returned home temporarily.
🔍 What happens at a detention hearing in Orange County?
This is a fast-moving hearing where the court decides whether there’s sufficient evidence to justify removal. Attorney Mohammad Abuershaid can argue for your child’s safe return home at this critical stage.
At this hearing, the court will decide whether the allegations in the CPS petition are true. CPS presents its evidence, and your attorney can cross-examine witnesses and introduce evidence on your behalf. This is your opportunity to fight the claims head-on.
If the petition is found true, the court moves to the disposition phase, where it decides your child’s placement and the services you must complete. The court may order reunification services or, in severe cases, terminate parental custody.
Dependency cases include routine review hearings to assess your progress and determine whether your child can return home. Your attorney can present updated evidence showing your compliance with court-ordered services.
If reunification efforts fail, the case could proceed to a permanency planning hearing, where the court considers termination of parental rights (TPR) or long-term guardianship.
📌 The timeline for CPS cases in Orange County varies, but time is always limited — and the consequences are permanent.
When you walk into Orange County juvenile dependency court, you’ll see:
County Counsel and CPS social workers representing the state
Strict timelines and procedural rules
A formal courtroom setting, not unlike a criminal trial
Legal jargon, tight deadlines, and life-altering decisions
Most parents feel outnumbered and outmatched. That’s why you need a skilled CPS defense lawyer in Orange County who knows the system and how to challenge it.
Not all dependency cases begin with CPS. In rare cases, a private party — such as a grandparent or family member — may file a dependency petition. These cases require legal standing and evidence of serious harm or risk.
Whether you’re initiating or defending against a petition, you need legal representation to make your voice heard and protect the child’s best interest.
At ALL Trial Lawyers, we’ve built a reputation for being aggressive, compassionate, and strategic when it comes to juvenile dependency cases in Orange County. Attorney Mohammad Abuershaid has become one of the most trusted names in CPS defense across the region.
Here’s why parents trust us:
✅ Extensive experience in Orange County juvenile dependency court
✅ Hundreds of successful outcomes defending against CPS
✅ Immediate action and clear communication
✅ Deep knowledge of court procedures and CPS timelines
✅ Courtroom credibility with local judges, social workers, and court staff
If you’re facing the CPS process in Orange County, your family is in crisis — and the court moves fast. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to reunite with your child.
📞 Call ALL Trial Lawyers today at (866) 811-4255
🌐 www.alltriallawyers.com
📍 Serving Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Huntington Beach, and all of Orange County
A one-month-old infant sustained devastating injuries, including a fractured femur, multiple rib fractures, a subdural brain bleed, and serious internal organ injuries. Cases involving injuries of this nature often result in prolonged separation between parents and children. Through immediate investigation, extensive preparation, and persuasive advocacy, All Trial Lawyers secured placement of the infant with the mother at the initial detention hearing.
A mother faced allegations of inappropriate discipline, including claims of physical abuse, together with a prior CPS history, domestic violence history, and criminal history. The child was initially detained. Despite these substantial obstacles, All Trial Lawyers negotiated aggressively and successfully advocated for reunification. At the combined jurisdiction and disposition hearing, the court returned the child to the mother’s care over the Agency’s recommendation.
A father was accused of serious sexual and physical abuse, resulting in a no-visitation order and the Agency recommending denial of reunification services. After extensive litigation and a contested court hearing, All Trial Lawyers secured dismissal of every allegation. The father’s fifty-percent custody was immediately restored, the dependency case was closed, and he reunited with his child after more than six months apart.
All fields are required. If you need immediate assistance, do not hesitate to call us at (866) 811-4255.
Mohammad Abuershaid, professionally known as Mo Abuershaid, is the founding partner of ALL Trial Lawyers and one of California’s most trusted authorities in dependency law, juvenile dependency cases, CPS defense, and high stakes CPS cases.
