Child Protective Services Practice Areas
Committed to empowering parents and defending families
As Seen In







Orange County CPS Defense Attorneys
Who Fight to Stabilize Your Family's Future
Johnson Criminal Law Group is dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients and ensuring the well-being of children and families involved in CPS and juvenile dependency cases.
We understand the sensitive and emotionally charged nature of CPS and juvenile dependency cases, and we are committed to providing not only exceptional legal advocacy but also support and guidance to our clients throughout the process.
CPS Investigations
Protect your rights with an aggressive advocate who understands your case
Child Abuse & Neglect
Stabilize your situation and prevent escalating charges with immediate action
CACI Hearings
Seize the initiative with a strategic roadmap for a superior legal outcome
Relative Placement
Insulate your family from chaotic litigation and prevent a permanent record
Guardianships & Adoptions
Ensure your voice is heard with an elite defense that reshapes your case
Juvenile Dependency
Dismantle flawed verdicts and mandate a formal correction of the record
Hear From Our Clients
Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience
I hired Lauren Johnson-Norris when social services showed up at my door asking questions after my husband and I got into an argument. I didn’t understand why they were there and everything was so overblown. They threatened to put my kids in foster care. Ms. Johnson-Norris created a plan to keep my family together, to keep us all safe and to help us get out of the system quickly. She was compassionate and as smart as can be. Her fees were reasonable, I could always get her on the phone and it was such a relief to know that she was on our side. If you or your family ever run into trouble with social services, I strongly recommend calling her. I am so thankful.
A Juvenile Client
Ms. Johnson-Norris represented my wife and me in a motion for relative placement of our grandchild. This was part of a nightmarish case involving the SSA, a corrupt and broken system rife with cronyism, ineptitude and conflicts of interest. Ms. Johnson-Norris was recommended to us as an expert in this area and we are so grateful to her for how she helped us. I’m experienced in dealing with attorneys in commercial and civil issues through my career, but dependency court is a bizarre world where normal rules and rights do not apply. In OC, it is a closed system filled with bias, and outsiders are at a disadvantage. Ms. Johnson-Norris is highly respected in this world and highly effective. She is always professional and an excellent communicator, never failing to return calls and emails promptly as we navigated this valley of terror. She was always prepared with thoughtful, intelligent, reasonable, and realistic counsel. She continues to guide, represent, and help us as things wrap up. I can’t recommend her highly enough. She is highly credible and experienced in this area of law, and there are not many who are. We are so glad she represented us. Her guidance and insight were invaluable to our family, and her teaming with the other counsel for our family was highly effective.
A Juvenile/Child Custody client
Lauren Johnson-Norris is extremely knowledgeable in family court. She communicates with you as a client and is realistic in your options and outcomes. She helped us get our kids returned to us and sort through the maze of dependency court and social services.
Karen I., a Juvenile client
Ms. Johnson-Norris is an aggressive, professional and effective attorney. Thank you for your legal assistance. Her follow-through is to be commended, and she always returns phone calls and quickly replies to email. The outcome would not have been the same without Ms. Johnson-Norris as my attorney. I would highly recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris to friends and family in need of legal advice. Thank you!
M.B., a Family client
Ms. Johnson-Norris has been a ‘guardian angel’ in our case from the first second we spoke. She’s dedicated such intense time and detail into making sure everything is handled perfectly. Our case has not been finished (yet), and we’re just in the initial stages, but we are already extremely confident in her abilities. Our case is extremely sensitive in nature, but Ms. Johnson-Norris has shown compassion, composure, and extensive knowledge, which is always super comforting. I can say with certainty that Ms. Johnson-Norris will handle our legal needs from the beginning to the end. Also, Ms. Johnson-Norris is really easy to get ahold of. She returns phone calls and/or emails very quickly, which is also a very comforting factor, and something I wanted to point out about her.
Jill, a Juvenile client
Featured Case Results
Successfully reunited a family by advocating for the return of children to their parents’ custody after thorough investigation and evidence presentation.
Obtained a dismissal of a CPS case based on lack of evidence and procedural errors, ensuring the preservation of the family’s rights and reputation.
Secured a favorable outcome for a client by negotiating a voluntary agreement with CPS, allowing the children to remain at home under supervision while the parents received necessary support and services.
Successfully defended a client against allegations of substance abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence, leading to the dismissal of the CPS case and the preservation of the family’s rights and integrity.
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