20+ year of experience
Trial ready
Personal attention
You received a notice. A court date at Lamoreaux Justice Center. A petition number. Instructions to appear.
Now you need to know what actually happens when you walk through those doors.
This guide walks you through every type of dependency hearing held at Lamoreaux, what to expect when you arrive, how to prepare, and what the court can and cannot do. If CPS removed your child or filed a petition, the next few hearings will determine whether your child comes home and how long this case stays open.
Call (866) 811-4255 for a free case review. We represent parents in Orange County dependency court. We answer 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Lamoreaux Justice Center is the only courthouse in Orange County that handles juvenile dependency cases. Every CPS or DCFS case filed in Orange County goes to Lamoreaux.
Address: 341 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868
This is not criminal court. This is not family court. Dependency court operates under California Welfare and Institutions Code sections 300 through 395. The judge’s job is to decide whether your child can safely live with you and what you must do to keep or regain custody.
You cannot handle a divorce, custody dispute, or criminal charge at Lamoreaux. Those belong in different courtrooms. Lamoreaux only handles cases where the county alleges a child has been abused, neglected, or is at risk.
Dependency cases move through a series of hearings. Each hearing has a specific purpose and timeline.
Detention Hearing (WIC 319): Happens within 48 to 72 hours after CPS removes your child. The court decides whether your child stays in protective custody or goes home while the case is investigated.
Jurisdiction Hearing (WIC 355/356): The court decides whether the allegations in the petition are true. Did the abuse or neglect occur? This hearing usually happens 15 to 30 days after detention.
Disposition Hearing (WIC 358): If the court finds the allegations true, it decides where your child will live and what services you must complete. Often combined with the jurisdiction hearing.
Six-Month Review (WIC 366.21(e)): The court reviews your progress on your case plan. Are you attending classes? Are visits going well? Can your child come home?
Twelve-Month Review (WIC 366.21(f)): A critical hearing. If your child was under three when removed, reunification services may end here if you have not made substantial progress.
Eighteen-Month Review and Permanency Hearings (WIC 366.22): For most cases, this is the reunification deadline. If you have not reunified, the court may set a WIC 366.26 hearing to terminate parental rights and free your child for adoption.
WIC 388 Modification Petitions: A request to change a previous court order. You can file one if circumstances have changed and you want the court to reconsider placement, visitation, or services.
Every hearing is scheduled in advance. Missing one can result in a bench warrant or a decision made without your input.
Lamoreaux is a secure facility. Expect airport-level security.
Security: You will walk through metal detectors. Leave weapons, pepper spray, lighters, and anything sharp at home. No food or drinks past security. Phones are allowed but must be silenced in the courtroom.
Check-In: Look for the calendar posted outside your assigned courtroom. Dependency cases are usually heard in Department J1 through J6. Your notice will list the department number and time. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Courtrooms run behind.
Who Will Be There: The judge sits at the bench. The social worker who investigated your case will be present. County counsel represents the Orange County Social Services Agency. Your child will have a separate attorney. If your child is old enough, they may attend. You should have your own attorney. If you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one at the detention hearing.
Wait Times: Dependency calendars are crowded. Some courtrooms hear 40 or 50 cases in a morning. You may wait an hour or more. Bring something to read. Do not bring young children unless they are part of the case.
Courtroom Etiquette: Stand when the judge enters. Address the judge as “Your Honor.” Turn off your phone. Do not interrupt. Do not argue with the social worker or county counsel while they are speaking. Your attorney will handle objections and cross-examination.
The detention hearing is the first hearing after CPS removes your child. It happens fast.
The court decides one thing: does your child stay in foster care or go home while the case is pending?
County counsel will present a detention report. It summarizes why CPS removed your child and what risk the social worker believes exists if your child goes home. The report is often based on incomplete information. The standard of proof is low at this stage. The county only needs to show a prima facie case, meaning there is some evidence that removal was necessary.
You have the right to speak. Your attorney can challenge the detention report, present evidence, and argue for release. If the court finds no immediate danger, your child goes home that day with a protective supervision order. If the court finds danger, your child stays in foster care and the case moves forward.
This hearing sets the tone. If the court orders your child detained, you will begin supervised visits and a case plan. Getting an attorney before this hearing improves your chances of getting your child released.
Call (866) 811-4255. We represent parents at detention hearings across Orange County.
The jurisdiction hearing determines whether the petition is true. The disposition hearing determines what happens next.
Jurisdiction (WIC 355/356): County counsel must prove the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. That means more likely than not. The petition will list specific allegations under WIC 300. Common allegations include physical abuse (300(a)), failure to protect (300(b)), sexual abuse (300(d)), or severe emotional damage (300(c)).
Your attorney can cross-examine the social worker, challenge the evidence, and present witnesses. You can testify. If the court dismisses the petition, the case ends and your child comes home. If the court sustains one or more allegations, the case moves to disposition.
Disposition (WIC 358): The court decides whether your child can safely live at home and what you must do to fix the problems that led to CPS involvement.
The case plan will list every requirement. Parenting classes. Individual therapy. Drug testing. Domestic violence counseling. Housing verification. Compliance is not optional. The court will review your progress at every hearing.
Review hearings happen every six months until the case closes or reunification services end.
The social worker will file a report before each hearing. The report describes what you completed, what you have not completed, how visits are going, and whether the social worker recommends returning your child.
What the Court Looks For:
The court can increase visitation, reduce visitation, or change the placement plan based on your progress. If you are doing well, the court may order overnight visits or a trial home visit. If you are not complying, the court may reduce visits or refer you for additional services.
“Reasonable services” is the standard. The county must offer you services that give you a real chance to reunify. If services are not available, delayed, or inadequate, your attorney can argue the county failed to provide reasonable services. That argument can extend your reunification timeline.
Missing appointments, testing positive, or skipping visits will appear in the social worker’s report. The court reads every report.
California law imposes strict reunification deadlines.
Twelve months is the deadline for children under three years old at the time of removal. The court may extend services to 18 months in some cases, but extensions are not guaranteed.
Eighteen months is the standard deadline for children three and older.
At the twelve-month or eighteen-month review, the court will ask: has the parent made substantial progress? Can the child safely return home?
If the answer is yes, the court orders the child returned and may keep the case open under family maintenance or close it entirely.
If the answer is no, the court terminates reunification services and sets a WIC 366.26 hearing. At a 366.26 hearing, the court decides on a permanent plan. The most common permanent plan is adoption, which requires termination of parental rights.
Exceptions exist. If your child is placed with a relative who does not want to adopt, the court may order legal guardianship. If your child is a teenager who does not want adoption, the court may order a planned permanent living arrangement (PPLA). If you can show changed circumstances, you can file a WIC 388 petition to ask the court to reinstate services or return your child.
These deadlines are real. Once services terminate, getting your child back becomes exponentially harder.
Walk in prepared. The court will notice.
Arrive Early: At least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Find your courtroom, check in with your attorney, and review any documents.
Dress Appropriately: Business casual. No tank tops, no shorts, no hats, no clothing with offensive language or images. You are appearing before a judge. Dress like it matters.
Bring Required Documents: If you completed a parenting class, bring the certificate. If you are employed, bring recent pay stubs. If you secured housing, bring a lease or proof of address. If you enrolled in therapy, bring a letter from your therapist. Hand these to your attorney before the hearing starts.
Meet with Your Attorney: Your attorney should meet with you outside the courtroom to go over what will happen, what the social worker’s report says, and whether you will testify. Do not wait until you are called to the front to ask questions.
Know What You Can Say: You can address the court respectfully. You cannot argue with the judge, interrupt, or make accusations. Stick to facts. “I completed my parenting class on June 15. Here is the certificate.” Not: “The social worker is lying about me.”
Courtroom Behavior: Stand when the judge enters and when you are called forward. Speak clearly. Address the judge as “Your Honor.” Do not chew gum. Do not whisper or text during the hearing. If you disagree with something, write a note to your attorney. Let your attorney object.
Judges notice parents who show up on time, follow instructions, and treat the process seriously.
You have rights, even when CPS has removed your child.
Right to an Attorney: You are entitled to a lawyer at every hearing. If you cannot afford one, the court will appoint a dependency attorney at no cost. You can also hire a private attorney. Private counsel often has more time and resources to fight your case.
Right to Be Heard: You can testify at any hearing. You can present witnesses and evidence. You can challenge the petition and the social worker’s reports.
Right to Visitation: Unless the court finds visits would harm your child, you are entitled to regular visits. The frequency and supervision level depend on the case, but the court cannot cut off all contact without a strong reason.
Right to Challenge the Petition: You can deny the allegations. County counsel must prove them. You do not have to admit to anything.
Right to Appeal: If you disagree with the court’s decision, you can file an appeal with the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District. Dependency appeals are time-sensitive. You typically have 60 days to file a notice of appeal.
These rights mean nothing if you do not have an attorney who will enforce them.
The judge will issue orders. Those orders are binding until the next hearing or until you successfully file a WIC 388 petition.
Court Orders:
The minute order will list what you must do, where your child will live, and when the next hearing is scheduled. Read it carefully. If something is unclear, ask your attorney.
Next Hearing Dates: Write down every future court date. Missing a hearing can result in a bench warrant, loss of visitation, or a decision made without your input.
Case Plan Services: If the court ordered you to attend services, enroll immediately. Many agencies have waiting lists. Do not wait for the social worker to call you. Contact the providers yourself.
Visitation Schedule: The social worker or the placement agency will coordinate visits. If visits are late, canceled, or inadequate, document it and tell your attorney. Lack of visitation can become grounds for a WIC 388 petition.
Communication with Your Social Worker: Be polite. Be professional. Return calls and emails promptly. If the social worker asks for verification of something you completed, provide it the same day. Cooperation does not mean you waive your rights. It means you are making their job easier, and judges notice.
Do what the court ordered. Document everything. Show up to the next hearing ready to prove your progress.
These mistakes will hurt your case.
Missing Hearings: Every absence weakens your position. If you cannot attend because of a medical emergency or work conflict, notify your attorney immediately and ask for a continuance. Do not just skip.
Arguing with the Judge or Social Worker: It does not matter if the report is wrong. Yelling, interrupting, or accusing the social worker in court will not help. Your attorney will handle objections and cross-examination. Stay calm.
Bringing Up Custody or Divorce Issues: Lamoreaux handles dependency. If you have a family law case pending in a different court, do not raise it here. The dependency judge will not modify custody orders or issue divorce rulings.
Not Following the Case Plan: Skipping classes, missing drug tests, or refusing therapy tells the court you are not serious about reunification. If you cannot complete a service because it is unavailable or inappropriate, tell your attorney. Do not just ignore it.
Coming to Court Under the Influence: If you appear intoxicated or high, the judge will notice. You may be ordered to submit to a drug test on the spot. You will lose credibility and possibly lose visitation.
Not Having Legal Representation: Court-appointed attorneys handle heavy caseloads. Some are excellent. Some are overworked. A private dependency attorney can spend more time on your case, investigate the social worker’s claims, and file motions the county hopes you will not file.
Dependency court is not family court. The rules are different. The consequences are permanent.
You are not required to have an attorney. You are entitled to one.
Court-appointed counsel is free. The court will assign a dependency public defender or panel attorney at your detention hearing. These attorneys know the system and the judges. They carry 60 to 80 cases at a time.
Private counsel costs money. You pay out of pocket. In exchange, you get an attorney who has time to investigate your case, challenge the social worker’s findings, file WIC 388 petitions, and prepare for trial if the case does not settle.
What a dependency attorney does:
When Mo is retained during the investigation phase, before the petition is filed, approximately 90% of cases close before a petition is ever filed. Early legal help improves outcomes.
Call (866) 811-4255 for a free consultation. We represent parents at Lamoreaux Justice Center.
How long does a dependency case last at Lamoreaux?
It depends. If your child is released at the detention hearing and the case stays open under family maintenance, it may close in six to twelve months. If your child is removed and you enter reunification, the case will last twelve to eighteen months. If services are terminated and the case goes to a 366.26 hearing, it can last two years or more.
Can I bring my family to the hearing?
Yes. Dependency hearings are generally open to the public unless the court orders them closed. You can bring a support person. They must sit quietly in the gallery. They cannot speak to the judge or interrupt the proceedings.
What if I miss my court date?
The court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. The hearing will proceed without you, and the judge will make decisions based on the social worker’s report. If you missed a hearing because of an emergency, contact your attorney immediately and ask the court to recall the warrant and reschedule.
Will my child be at the hearing?
It depends on the child’s age and the type of hearing. Very young children usually do not attend. Children over ten often attend jurisdiction, disposition, and review hearings. Teenagers almost always attend. The child’s attorney will make the decision.
Can I get my child back at the first hearing?
Yes, if the court finds no immediate danger at the detention hearing. If the evidence does not support removal, the judge will release your child to you that day. If the court detains your child, you will have to wait until jurisdiction, disposition, or a later review hearing.
What if I disagree with the social worker’s report?
Your attorney can challenge it. Social worker reports are evidence, but they are not always accurate. Your attorney can cross-examine the social worker, present contrary evidence, and argue that the report is based on incomplete or biased information. The judge will weigh all the evidence before making a decision.
Facing a dependency hearing at Lamoreaux? Get a free consultation with an experienced Orange County CPS attorney.
Call (866) 811-4255. We answer 24 hours a day for emergencies. We do not get paid unless we help you get your child back or keep your case from being filed.
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.