Jurisdiction & Disposition
Challenging the state’s evidence and fighting to keep your family together.
What is a Jurisdiction Hearing?
The Jurisdiction Hearing is essentially the “trial” phase of a juvenile dependency case. During this hearing, the judge determines whether the allegations made by DCFS or CPS in the petition are legally true. If the judge sustains the petition, the court will take formal “jurisdiction” over your child. This is a critical stage where we aggressively challenge the state’s evidence, cross-examine social workers, and present favorable witnesses on your behalf to prove the allegations are unfounded or exaggerated.
What Happens at Disposition?
If the court does take jurisdiction, the case moves to the Disposition Hearing. Here, the judge decides where the child will live and what specific services the parents must complete. The goal is always to keep the child safely in your home (Family Maintenance) or, if removed, to establish a clear and fair path to get them back (Family Reunification). As your advocate, we fight to ensure any required classes and programs are reasonable and that the county is held accountable for providing you with the necessary resources.
Why Immediate Action is Critical
- Aggressive Trial Advocacy
We approach Jurisdiction as a formal trial, holding the county to its strict burden of proof and exposing flawed investigations.
- Petition Dismissal
Our primary goal at the Jurisdiction phase is to dismantle the state’s case and have the petition dismissed entirely.
- Fair Case Plans
If services are ordered at Disposition, we ensure the mandated plan is tailored to your family and not overly burdensome.