Few things are more frightening than having your family face an investigation by Child Protective Services (CPS). When allegations of abuse or neglect arise, it becomes a deeply emotional and stressful experience.
The fear of being misunderstood or, worse, of being separated from your children can be overwhelming. It can feel like your life has been turned upside down, with strangers questioning your parenting and making critical decisions about your family’s future.
This sense of powerlessness is why having a compassionate and experienced juvenile dependency attorney on your side is so important. At Scharf Law, P.C., we represent parents in Sacramento County, Placer County, and El Dorado County who are facing CPS investigations. We are here to defend your rights, ensure your side of the story is heard, and fight to keep your family together.
A knowledgeable juvenile dependency attorney can immediately step in to advocate for you. In Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties, the court process is extremely fast. You must attend a “Detention Hearing” almost immediately after your child is removed.
Our firm is here to help you navigate the complex demands of both CPS and the Juvenile Dependency Court. We focus on the goal of keeping your family together by:
Whether you are a parent, a relative seeking placement, or a caregiver trying to gain “de facto parent” status, having the right legal support can make all the difference.
Whether you are a parent facing allegations of abuse or neglect of your child(ren,) a caregiver seeking placement or visitation, a foster parent or a prospective adoptive parent wanting to provide permanency for a foster child Scharf Law can help guide you through the complexities of the juvenile dependency system with skilled advocacy and compassion.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Involvement
If CPS has contacted you to investigate allegations of abuse, we can help you understand your rights and respond effectively.
Investigation: A Social Worker is knocking on your door
This investigation is the first critical step in a process that can lead to juvenile dependency court. If the social worker believes there is a risk to your child or children, the case moves from your home to the courtroom, triggering a series of fast-paced hearings that will impact your family’s future. If a social worker has contacted you for an interview, you should seek advice from a knowledgeable attorney before returning their call.
Detention Hearings
When a child has been taken into custody Child Protective Services (CPS) generally has 48 hours to file a petition with the juvenile court. The petition outlines the reasons CPS has identified for requiring removal of the child and court involvement. Once the petition is filed the juvenile court must hold a detention hearing to determine whether the child shall remain in protective custody or be released back into the care and custody of its parents. This hearing must be held as soon as possible, but not later than the expiration of the next judicial day after a petition to declare the child a dependent child has been filed. If the hearing is not held within this prescribed timeframe, the child must be released from custody.
Jurisdiction Hearings
At the jurisdictional hearing, the court must consider whether the allegations pled in the petition are true by a preponderance of evidence (more likely than not) and whether the child falls within one or more of the statutory grounds for dependency jurisdiction. These grounds include situations where the child has suffered, or is at substantial risk of suffering, serious physical harm, illness, or emotional damage due to the actions or inactions of a parent or guardian. is to protect the child and ensure their safety and well-being. If the Court takes jurisdiction, it may limit the control to be exercised over the dependent child by any parent, guardian, or Indian custodian. It is imperative to have an attorney who is familiar with the Welfare and Institutions, particularly as it pertains to the admission of evidence and how it differs from other fields of law. Our office defends has extensive experience litigating in the field of law defending against allegations of abuse or neglect.
Disposition Hearing
If the court assumes jurisdiction, a disposition hearing will be held to determine what the plan will be moving forward. The first question is whether there are services that can be put into place to protect the child without removing him/her the home. If the court determines that the answer to this question is NO, the next question is whether there are services that can be put into place to to assist the parents in addressing the issues that led to the dependency and facilitate the safe return of the child to the parents’ custody, if possible. Our office will fight to ensure that the court orders a case plan that is specifically tailored to the needs of your family and that the agency provides reasonable services and visitation with your child while he/she is not in your care.
If you are placed on a reunification plan, you must complete specific services within a specified time. Throughout this period, you will be scheduled for review hearings, during which the judge will determine whether you are adhering to the plan. Failing to complete the reunification services may result in those services being terminated.
Permanency Planning
Termination of reunification services means the goal is not longer return to parents and the court needs to determine what the permanent plan for your child will be. These options can include: termination of parental rights to free your child for adoption, Legal guardianship being given to relatives or foster parents; or a plan of long term foster care. Our office is prepared to represent you at every stage of this process.
Reunification Services
We guide parents through their court-ordered case plans, ensuring they receive the services they need to regain custody of their children. It is equally important to ensure your case plan is specifically tailored to you and your needs and that unnecessary plans are not ordered.
De Facto Parent Status
If you have been or are currently assuming a parental role, you may be able to seek de facto parent status which provides legal standing in the case. We can help you obtain such status and subsequently represent your legal interests in court.
Relative and Non-Relative Caregiver Representation
Whether you’re a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend, we help caregivers secure placements of and visitation with the child.
Foster Parent Rights
Foster parents are often able to provide valuable information regarding the current needs of the child. They are privy to information that the other parties involved in the court’s process do not have. We help ensure you are heard and respected in the courtroom and in placement decisions.
We can help prospective adoptive parents navigate the legal complexities of foster care placement and adoption, especially when parental rights are terminated or when filing an adoption petition, although this is not always necessary and can be challenging if there is a strong preference for relative placement. An attorney provides essential legal guidance and representation to ensure the adoption process runs smoothly, handling crucial paperwork and court appearances, and offering protection of rights and adherence to legal requirements.
Navigating the Juvenile Dependency system can be one of the most emotional and challenging experiences a family faces. Having an attorney skilled specifically in juvenile dependency is not just helpful—it’s essential. Our office is committed to guiding you through every stage of the process with clarity, compassion, and determination. We understand what’s at stake, and we work tirelessly to protect your rights and reunify your family whenever possible. The attorneys at Scharf Law PC bring a strong, aggressive approach to in-court advocacy and out-of-court negotiations, ensuring that your voice is heard and your case is presented with the strength it deserves. When your family’s future is on the line, you don’t have to face it alone, we’re here to stand by you every step of the way.
