Collection: CPS (CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES)

Child Protective Services (CPS) law governs the state's intervention when a child is alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent due to parental incapacity or failure to protect. The legal process is initiated by an Investigation and leads to a Dependency Petition, which asserts the court must take jurisdiction to ensure the child's safety. The key phases include the Detention Hearing, where the court decides if the child must be removed immediately; the Adjudication Hearing, which determines if the allegations of abuse or neglect are true; and the Disposition Hearing, where the court establishes the Case Plan. This plan outlines the services (such as counseling, drug treatment, or parenting classes) the parents must complete to work toward reunification. If parents fail to comply with the plan over a set period (typically 12 to 18 months), the final phase is the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Hearing, which is a permanent decision that clears the way for the child to be placed for adoption. Throughout this process, parents have the right to counsel and must file specific motions and affidavits to challenge the evidence, request visitations, or demonstrate compliance with the court's requirements.