Here’s a hearing-by-hearing breakdown of how a juvenile dependency case usually unfolds in Stockton, CA (San Joaquin County), and where a juvenile dependency lawyer becomes critical.
1. Detention Hearing (Within 1–2 Court Days of Removal)
Purpose:
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Decide if the child will remain in protective custody or return home while the case proceeds.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Challenge the legal grounds for removal.
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Argue for the child’s immediate return or placement with relatives.
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Address emergency safety concerns with proposed solutions (e.g., supervision, counseling).
2. Jurisdiction Hearing (Usually 2–3 Weeks After Detention)
Purpose:
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Determine whether the allegations in the petition (abuse, neglect, inability to care) are true under the law.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Cross-examine CPS workers, police officers, or witnesses.
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Present evidence contradicting allegations.
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Negotiate stipulations to avoid admitting fault while agreeing to certain services.
3. Disposition Hearing (Often Same Day as Jurisdiction, Sometimes Separate)
Purpose:
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Decide the child’s long-term placement and what services the parents must complete to work toward reunification.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Argue for the least restrictive placement possible (home, relative care).
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Ensure required services are reasonable, available, and tailored to the family’s situation.
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Push for visitation rights and schedules that maintain strong parent-child bonds.
4. Status Review Hearings (Every 6 Months)
Purpose:
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Review the parent’s progress in meeting court-ordered requirements.
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Determine if the child can be safely returned or if reunification should continue.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Show documented progress in services.
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Challenge inaccurate or outdated CPS reports.
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Argue against reducing visitation or ending reunification efforts too early.
5. Permanency Planning Hearing (Usually at 12–18 Months)
Purpose:
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If reunification has not succeeded, decide on a permanent plan: adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Advocate for additional time for reunification if progress is being made.
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Fight to keep family placement over foster care.
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Negotiate open adoption or guardianship to preserve parental contact.
6. Termination of Parental Rights Hearing (If Reunification Fails)
Purpose:
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Legally sever the parent’s rights so the child can be adopted.
Key Lawyer Roles:
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Challenge whether the state met its burden of proof.
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Argue exceptions to termination (e.g., strong beneficial relationship between parent and child).
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Explore alternatives to adoption that keep parental rights intact.
Why Having a Lawyer from Day One Matters
Once the dependency process starts in Stockton, deadlines are extremely strict—especially in California, where reunification timelines are often capped at 12 months for children over 3 and 6 months for those under 3. Missing early opportunities to challenge evidence or secure favorable services can make later stages much harder to win.
Vivian A. Thomas is a formidable defense attorney from Stockton, Central Valley, specializing in criminal and family law. With extensive experience in juvenile
dependency court, she has spent the past four years fiercely advocating for families in CPS matters, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
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