Juvenile Dependency Court Print this Page
Phone: (415) 444-7045
Email: juvenile@marincourt.org
Location: Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room 113
Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm




The California Welfare and Institutions Code, starting at section 300, sets forth the legal requirements, process and objectives for Dependency Court. Dependency matters are filed with the Court when there are reports that children have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their parent(s) or legal guardian. These cases are also filed with the Court when parents or legal guardians are unable or unwilling to care for their children. For more information about parents' rights in Dependency Court, please click here.

While the desired outcome of these cases is to reunite children with their families or caregivers, if the Court determines that this is not possible, the children may be temporarily placed in foster care or a guardian may be appointed by the Court. Ultimately, if the Court determines that the children cannot be reunited with their families, the parents' or legal guardian's rights to the children may be terminated and the children may become eligible for permanent adoption.

Other agencies typically involved in dependency proceedings include the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Social Services Division; Marin County Counsel; and attorneys from the Office of the Public Defender, Family and Children's Law Center, Legal Aid of Marin and private law firms. The Court appoints legal counsel for most parties in Dependency Court.

The objectives of Dependency Court are to:

  1. Protect the health and safety of minor children;
  2. Preserve families, whenever possible;
  3. Provide placement of children with a relative, foster family, group home or an adoptive parent if it is determined to be in their best interest.

For more information about how Juvenile Dependency Court works, please click here.

Overview

Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over court related matters for minors (persons under 18 years of age.) Individuals may also be ordered to appear in Juvenile Court after the age of 18, if they are charged with a crime committed before they turned 18 years old.

California law mandates that juvenile proceedings and records are strictly confidential. These proceedings and records cannot be viewed by anyone other than the parties involved in the case. In rare instances, parties may petition the Court to disclose juvenile records. Unless there is an order from the Juvenile Court authorizing disclosure of juvenile records, no such public access is permitted.

 
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