Detention Hearings
Aggressive advocacy to keep your children in your care or placed with family.
What is a Detention Hearing?
The Detention Hearing is typically the first formal court appearance in a juvenile dependency case, occurring within 48 to 72 hours after a child has been removed from the home by CPS or DCFS. At this highly critical juncture, the judge will determine whether your child can safely return home while the investigation continues or if they must remain in protective custody. The decisions made here set the trajectory for the entire case.
Fighting for Placement and Visitation
If the court decides that returning the child to your care poses an immediate danger, the next crucial battle is placement. We fight aggressively to ensure your child is placed with trusted relatives or extended family members rather than strangers in foster care. Furthermore, we advocate for maximum, unmonitored visitation rights so you can maintain a strong bond with your child throughout the legal process.
Why Immediate Action is Critical
- Prevent Foster Care
We immediately petition the court to release your child back to you or to an approved relative to avoid foster placement.
- Challenge Evidence
We aggressively challenge the initial reports and cross-examine social workers regarding the justification for removal.
- Secure Visitation
If detention is upheld, we fight for the most favorable, frequent, and least restrictive visitation schedules possible.