Adverse Court Orders
0300-507.05 | Revision Date: 6/7/2023

Overview

This policy provides Children’s Social Workers (CSWs) with guidance on what to do when the court makes an order that may adversely affect children and/or the Department.

Table of Contents

Version Summary

This policy guide was updated from the 07/01/14 version, to incorporate safeguards to consider when an adverse court order is made. 

POLICY

Adverse Court Orders

There are two (2) categories of adverse court orders:

  1. An order which is contrary to a DCFS recommendation and which DCFS determines, if carried out, will place the child at risk of harm; and,
  2. An order which adversely affects the administrative and/or operational functioning of DCFS.
    • This includes, but is not limited to, orders that are contrary to DCFS policy and/or state or federal regulations; and/or, orders that penalize DCFS for the actions or inaction of a CSW and/or DCFS.

The following are a few examples of adverse orders:

  • The court orders a child placed in the home of a relative whose home was not approved pursuant to Title 22 regulations.
  • The court orders a child placed out-of-state without the initiation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC),or placed in a home that was not approved via ICPC.
  • The court sanctions the Department and/or an employee of the Department.
  • The court orders a child into a permanent plan that is in conflict with the law and/or is not in the child's best interest.
  • The court orders, or makes a decision regarding, the purchase of items which DCFS has no means to pay for.
  • The court orders a child returned home-of-parent, or orders unmonitored visitation for a parent, and the order places the child at risk of harm.

County Counsel should always make an oral objection and argument at the time an adverse court order is made, or prepare a formal written argument with points and authorities presented for the position DCFS is taking.  If appropriate, the County Counsel should also request a stay of the court's order. A stay should always be requested when the court makes an order which presents a serious risk to the child.  If a stay is not issued, the court's order must be complied with.

Once the court makes an adverse order, County Counsel will, following consultation with Juvenile Court Services (JCS) staff, evaluate the case to determine if legal action can be taken to provide DCFS with legal relief.

County Counsel will consider the following options when considering legal relief:

  • An application for rehearing may be filed with the court if a referee or commissioner made the order.
    • An application for rehearing under WIC Section 252 must be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the disputed order or decision, necessitating a five (5) calendar-day time frame for requesting that further legal action be taken on an adverse order or decision.
  • A motion for reconsideration may be filed with the court within ten (10) calendar days of the order or decision.
    • If a motion for reconsideration is denied by the court, County Counsel will consult with the Juvenile Court Services Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA) to determine if a writ petition or appeal should be filed with the appellate court.
  • If it is determined, through consultation between County Counsel and the Juvenile Court Services ARA, that the child will be at risk of harm by a court's order if it is carried out, and that appellate review is warranted, County Counsel will file a writ petition with the appellate court.
    • In order for a writ petition to be filed, DCFS must show that an exigency exists which will endanger the child if the appellate court does not act promptly.
  • If it is determined through consultation between County Counsel and the Director of Juvenile Court Services that the order will adversely affect the operational and/or administrative functioning of DCFS and/or there is a legal basis for legal relief, County Counsel will file a writ petition or an appeal with the appellate court.
  • If the request for a stay or rehearing is denied, the CSW must consult with County Counsel who may consult with the Juvenile Court Services ARA to determine if appellate review is warranted. The decision to file a writ petition or appeal will be made only by the Director of Juvenile Court Services (DJCS) or their designee.

If the DJCS and the Regional Administrator (RA) are unable to agree on whether or not to seek legal relief, the matter must be referred to their respective Deputy Directors. The Deputy Directors will confer with each other and their respective staff.

If the decision is made to seek legal relief, the DJCS will authorize County Counsel to proceed. If the decision is made not to seek legal relief, the affected Deputy Director will instruct his/her staff to comply with the court's order. In the event an agreement cannot be reached at the Deputy Director level, the matter will be referred to the Director of DCFS, or their designee, for resolution.

PROCEDURE

Adverse Court Order is Identified

Juvenile Court Services (JCS) CSW Responsibilities

  1. After reviewing the DCFS report, confer with County Counsel and the JCS SCSW regarding the possibility of an adverse order being made and request that County Counsel object to the order, argue against it and request a stay.
  2. If an adverse order is made, immediately notify the JCS SCSW. Also, inform the JCS SCSW if the request for a stay was denied or granted.
  3. Notify the responsible CSW and the SCSW of the adverse order as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the same business day.  Confer with the CSW regarding the adverse order and obtain any additional information that can assist in County Counsel's efforts to seek further legal relief.
  4. Document the required information regarding the adverse order onto the JCS' in-house Adverse Decision form and route it to the JCS SCSW by the end of the business day.

JCS SCSW Responsibilities

  1. Retrieve the minute order for the hearing in question.
  2. Confer with the JCS Court Officer, County Counsel and/or Supervising County Counsel regarding the adverse order.
  3. Contact the regional SCSW to discuss the adverse order.
  4. When necessary, confer with the JCS ARA regarding the adverse order.

JCS ARA Responsibilities

  1. Review the case and confer with the JCS SCSW.
  2. Contact the regional ARA to review the case and inform them that the case is being reviewed to see if legal relief is possible.
  3. If the determination is made that legal relief should be sought, confer with the trial County Counsel and the Supervising County Counsel in the Dependency Division, regarding the adverse order.  Decide if further relief in the Juvenile Court by rehearing or motion to reconsider should be filed.
  4. If after consultation with the Dependency Division, JCS determines legal relief with the Court of Appeal should be sought, request a referral to, and consultation with, a County Counsel in the Appeals Division.
  5. Review the case on the Justice Partner Portal (JPP).
  6. Consult with the regional ARA to review the case.
  7. Consult with appropriate JCS staff regarding case.
  8. If the determination is made that legal relief should be sought, confer with the trial County Counsel and the Supervising County Counsel in the Dependency Division, regarding the adverse order or decision.

Case-Carrying CSW Responsibilities

  1. Upon being notified of the adverse order, notify your SCSW and ARA, as soon as possible, but no later than the next business day and brief them on the facts of the case.
  2. If a stay was not issued, the court's order must be complied with until further notice.
  3. Consider immediately putting the following safeguards in place when the court orders a child returned home over the Department’s recommendation and an adverse is filed, especially if the adverse order is regarding children age five (5) and under:
    1. Immediately discuss with the ARA safety interventions to quickly put into place to address the Department’s stated concerns.
    2. Consult with the out-stationed County Counsel and/or the assigned DCFS trial attorney to discuss legal procedures and options.
    3. Consider partnering with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and at least one social support/connection (such as a relative, friend, therapist, parent partner and/or cultural broker) who can support the child’s safety; make sure the supports know about the safety reasons for DCFS involvement.
    4. Consider conducting a safety house activity with children when it’s developmentally appropriate.
    5. Consider an immediate referral to Family Preservation Services for additional support, consultation and supervision.
    6. Consider consultation with a Public Health Nurse for medical concerns and conditions.
    7. Consult and collaborate with co-located Department of Mental Health (DMH) staff when parents with mental health issues are caring for a child under the age of five (5).

Regional SCSW Responsibilities

  1. Review the case and consult with the CSW.
  2. Notify the ARA of the adverse order and consider putting safeguards in place.

Regional ARA Responsibilities

  1. Review the case and consult with the SCSW and/or CSW and consider putting safeguards in place.
  2. Contact the JCS ARA who supervises the courtroom where the adverse order was made, and review the case.

JCS SCSW Responsibilities

  1. Request the Supervising County Counsel, Dependency Division, and the appellate County Counsel, Appeals Division, seek legal relief from the order.
  2. Inform the regional ARA that legal relief will be sought.

Regional ARA Responsibilities

  1. Inform the CSW and/or SCSW of JCS' decision and instruct them to comply with the court's order.

Case-Carrying CSW Responsibilities

  1. Document any and all actions taken involving the adverse order or decision by the court in the CWS/CMS Case Notes, and comply with the court's order.

JCS SCSW Responsibilities

  1. Inform the regional SCSW as to why legal relief is not being sought and emphasize that the court's order must be complied with.
  2. Confer with JCS ARA about the case and the region's disagreement with the decision not to seek legal relief, if the region disagrees with the decision.

JCS ARA Responsibilities

  1. Confer with JCS SCSW about the case and if necessary, the Supervising County Counsel.
  2. Confer with the Regional ARA about the case and the decision not to seek legal relief.

Regional SCSW Responsibilities

  1. Inform the Regional ARA of JCS' decision not to seek legal relief and remind the CSW to comply with the court's order.
  2. Inform the JCS SCSW that the Regional ARA will review the matter.

Regional ARA Responsibilities

  1. If regional office continues to disagree with JCS' decision, inform the JCS ARA that the Regional RA will review the matter.
  2. Confer with the RA regarding the case and JCS' decision not to seek legal relief.
  3. Inform the CSW and/or SCSW of the RA's decision and instruct them that the court's order must be complied with, until a stay has been issued.

Regional RA Responsibilities

  1. If Regional Office continues to disagree with JCS' decision, review the case and confer with the Regional ARA, the responsible SCSW and CSW.
  2. If further information is needed, confer with the JCS ARA and/or the Supervising County Counsel regarding the adverse order or decision.
    1. If regional staff now agrees with JCS' decision, inform the regional ARA of the decision not to seek legal relief and that the court's order must be complied with.
    2. If regional staff still wishes to pursue legal relief, proceed as described below.
  3. Confer with the Director of Juvenile Court Services regarding the matter and the decision not to seek legal relief.
  4. Inform the Regional ARA of JCS' decision and instruct the ARA that the court's order must be complied with, until a stay has been issued.

JCS Director Responsibilities

  1. If Regional Office continues to disagree with JCS' decision, confer with the JCS ARA and, if necessary, confer with the Supervising County Counsel, Dependency Division, and the appellate County Counsel, Dependency Appeals Division, regarding the adverse order or decision.
  2. If agreement is reached that there is a legal basis to seek legal relief, authorize the Supervising County Counsel, Dependency Division, and the appellate County Counsel, Dependency Appeals Division, to proceed.
  3. Inform the RA that legal relief will be sought, and the court's order must be complied with, until a stay has been issued.

Case-Carrying CSW Responsibilities

  1. Document any and all actions taken involving the adverse order by the court in the CWS/CMS Case Notes, and comply with the court's order until further notice.
APPROVALS

Regional ARA Approval

  • Decision to seek or not to seek legal relief

JCS SCSW

  • Decision to seek or not to seek legal relief

JCS ARA Approval

  • Decision to seek or not to seek legal relief

JCS Director Approval

  • Decision to seek or not to seek legal relief
HELPFUL LINKS
REFERENCED POLICY GUIDES

0100-525.10, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
0300-506.05, Communication with Attorneys, County Counsel, and Non-DCFS Staff
0300-507.10, Communication with County Counsel Regarding a Writ Petition or Appeal

STATUTES AND OTHER MANDATES

Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 252 – States that at any time prior to the expiration of ten (10) days after service of a written copy of the order and findings of a referee, a minor or his or her parent or guardian or, the county welfare department may apply to the juvenile court for a rehearing. That application may be directed to all or to any specified part of the order or findings, and shall contain a statement of the reasons the rehearing is requested. If all of the proceedings before the referee have been taken down by an official reporter, the judge of the juvenile court may, after reading the transcript of those proceedings, grant or deny the application.  If proceedings before the referee have not been taken down by an official reporter, the application shall be granted as of right. If an application for rehearing is not granted, denied, or extended within twenty (20) days following the date of its receipt, it shall be deemed granted. However, the court, for good cause, may extend the period beyond twenty (20) days, but not beyond forty-five (45) days, following the date of receipt of the application, at which time the application for rehearing must be deemed granted unless it is denied within that period. All decisions to grant or deny the application, or to extend the period, shall be expressly made in a written minute order with copies provided to the minor or his or her parent or guardian, and to the attorneys of record.

WIC Section 253 – States that a judge of the juvenile court may, on his own motion order a rehearing of any matter heard before a referee within twenty (20) judicial days of the hearing.

WIC Section 254 – States that all re-hearings of matters heard before a referee shall be before a judge of the juvenile court and shall be conducted de novo.

WIC Section 395 – States that a judgment in a proceeding under Section 300 may be appealed in the same manner as any final judgment, and any subsequent order may be appealed from an order after judgment. However, no such order or judgment shall be stayed by the appeal, unless, pending the appeal, suitable provision is made for the maintenance, care, and custody of the person alleged or found to come within the provisions of Section 300, and unless the provision is approved by an order of the juvenile court. The appeal shall have precedence over all other cases in the court to which the appeal is taken. A judgment or subsequent order entered by a referee shall become appealable whenever proceedings pursuant to Section 252, 253, or 254 have become completed or, if proceedings pursuant to Section 252, 253, or 254 are not initiated, when the time for initiating the proceedings has expired.