CHILDREN AND THE LAW
...Dependency Petitions
......Dispositional Hearing
.........In General
8 Cards On This Topic:

Summary of Law: Dispositional hearings.

General conduct of dispositional hearing.

Alternative dispositional orders available.

Purpose of dispositional hearing discussed.

Juvenile court improperly invaded executive functions of county social services agency, violating separation of powers doctrine, when it ordered specific social worker assigned to case. (Cal. Const., art. III §3.)

Court discussed pitfalls inherent in using waiver form that does not clearly reflect understanding of the parties.

Adjudication of dependency takes place at dispositional hearing; law in effect at time of hearing governs procedures followed in case.

Mother’s in-court submission on social worker’s recommendation waives right to challenge findings and orders removing minors from her custody.