Dependency Courts

The court has jurisdiction over cases which involve minors age 17 and younger who may be in need of protection. There are no geographic restrictions.

  The court hears cases that concern children who have allegedly been battered, abused, abandoned or neglected by their parents or guardians. It also deals with cases involving the guardianship or adoption of a minor who has been declared a dependent child of the court. It is the court's intention to strengthen the unity of the family, whenever possible; however, the court may remove the minor from parental care if the welfare of the minor is threatened. The goal is to assist the family to work toward an eventual reunion whenever that is appropriate or to facilitate another stable plan for the child.   

Children and their families come to the dependency court after a petition has been filed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS); DCFS workers may file petitions after investigating situations that have been referred by the police, private sources, or from within DCFS. Some children are removed from their homes and are temporarily placed in group facilities or foster care; others come to court from home. Under court policy children younger than age four are not required to appear in court. If children are detained pending court action they must have a hearing within 72 court hours to determine the need for them to remain detained until the next court hearing. If they are ordered to remain detained, a court hearing concerning the validity of the allegations in the petition (adjudication) must be held within 15 court days; if they are not detained, the hearing must be within 30 calendar days following their arraignment hearing. 

If the allegations are found to be true, another hearing must then be held to determine the disposition of the case. Parents may be ordered to obtain counseling and/or parenting education, or to comply with other conditions. Whenever a child is declared a dependent of the court and placed under the court's protection, the case is reviewed every six months.