When Will CPS Close a Juvenile Dependency Case?

If you are dealing with a Child Protective Services (CPS) case in California, it can feel like each stage takes forever. In fact, several portions of the CPS investigation timeline in California are spaced months apart. While the initial detention hearing must be held within a two-day period, the rest of the case may proceed at a much slower pace.

While there can be some variations, the CPS investigation timeline in California typically proceeds through a few key stages.

• Child removal: In the case of an emergency removal, the CPS case worker can remove the child right away.
• Detention hearing: If the child has been removed from their home, the detention hearing must be held by the end of the following day. It will determine whether the removal was the right choice.
• Jurisdiction hearing: The jurisdiction hearing is designed to determine whether the allegations are true. This is normally held a few days after the detention hearing.
• Disposition hearing: Under Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) 358, the disposition hearing is held 10, 15, or 30 days later depending on the factors in the case.
• Review hearings: Review hearings are held at 6, 12, and 18 months to check up on the family’s progress. Future hearings are scheduled if more progress needs to be made, but the judge can also decide to allow the child to return home.
• Permanency: If the child is unable to return after the 18-month hearing, the court must find a permanent situation. At this stage, the court may also terminate parental rights.

Typically, CPS has up to 30 days to investigate the case and 60 days to issue a determination.

CPS investigates each case as thoroughly and completely as possible. Because of that, the stages of a CPS investigation don’t always end on a specific day. However, the California CPS process generally takes about 45 days or less to complete.

Once the California CPS court process has come to an end, you may still be provided with services or support. It all depends on what your specific case plan entailed. You may have new custody arrangements or visitation orders. In other instances, the case may even end with the termination of parental rights.

No matter how your case ends, it can be emotional for families. While some families experience relief, other families feel overwhelmed.

In California, CPS cases are considered confidential. This means that everything that happened in the court documents cannot become public knowledge. While this is good for your privacy, it can also be problematic if you wanted to have your name cleared.

It is the job of CPS to protect children who may have been abused or neglected. If they receive new evidence and believe that the child is at risk, they are allowed to reopen the case. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to follow your case plan and continue all of your required family reunification services after your case has finished.

CPS can’t just decide to reopen a case without proof. They are required to have grounds to revisit the case. However, once the case is open again, they will most likely look at it more closely because your family has been investigated for similar problems in the past.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to predict when the CPS investigation timeline in California will come to an end for each individual case. If you are confused about how long your CPS investigation will last, you can talk to your lawyer. They can also give you advice about steps you can take to help your case close as early as possible.

For more information about the CPS investigation process and what to expect, reach out to our team today.