Debra S. Frank, P.C., lawyers in Los Angeles, CA, California

Guardian Ad Litem

What is a guardian ad litem? A minor cannot be a party to a lawsuit without assistance. Therefore, when a minor is a party to a lawsuit, the court appoints a guardian ad litem to represent the minor. More...

The Hague Convention and International Child Abductions

The Hague Convention is a private civil device that may be used by a custodial parent in their attempt to gain the return of their child that was taken over international borders without their permission. Many countries have adopted the Hague Convention. The countries that have adopted the Hague Convention have agreed that they will assist in returning a child that has been abducted and wrongfully detained in their country. More...

Delinquency Proceedings

The Prosecuting Attorney may file a Delinquency Petition if a child under 18 years of age commits a delinquent act. A juvenile delinquency proceeding is essentially a closed bench trial. A juvenile has constitutional rights under the due process clause when there is a possibility of detention following the proceeding. These rights include adequate notice, the assistance of counsel, the privilege against self-incrimination, and the privilege of confronting and cross-examining the witnesses. The due process clause also requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt when a juvenile is charged with an act that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult. Juveniles do not have a constitutional right to a jury trial in juvenile court. More...

Dependency Proceedings

There are several circumstances that may lead to the removal of a child from his or her parents to become placed as a dependent of the juvenile court. Some of these grounds are the removal of children who have suffered or are likely to suffer neglect or abuse. Other situations include the inability of the parent or guardian to provide regular care for the child due to mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse. A child may also become a dependent of the court if the child's parent has become incarcerated or institutionalized and has been unable to arrange for care of the child during that time. More...

Access to Adoption Records

The adoption process has traditionally been a closed proceeding. In most agency adoptions and in many private placements, the adoptive and biological parents do not meet and do not know each other's identity. While court proceedings are not open to the public. Once the adoption is granted, the records of the proceeding, along with the investigative reports on the parties, are sealed and are generally not available for inspection by anyone except upon court order for ''good cause.'' More...