Dependency Court

COURT PROCEEDINGS TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON FEBRUARY 13TH

All court proceedings will return to in-person on February 13th, with all parties expected to participate in person. Pierce County Juvenile Court remains in close communication the Health Department and will continue to follow best practices, health and safety guidelines to keep participants safe. For more information or questions, please contact the Clerk's Office: 253-798-7973, M-F, 8:30am - 4:30pm.

Information for Parents

• Parents and children (ages 0–18) come to the attention of the Dependency Court when Child Protective Services (CPS) files court paperwork alleging abuse and/or neglect according to RCW 13.34.030 (6).
• Dependency Court Hearings 
• A Court Appointed Advocate/Guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the best interests of the child. The duties of the Guardian ad litem are defined by statute.
• Reuniting Your Family: You Can Make It Happen 
• When a parent is not making progress, the court may order the State to file a termination of parental rights petition.

Information for Dependent Youth

• Dependent youth, ages 12 and older, are encouraged to attend court hearings. They should contact their social worker and Court Appointed Advocate/Guardian ad litem to make sure arrangements are made.
• Youth, ages 12 and older, have the right to request an attorney. Decisions about assigning attorneys for youth are made by the Judge or Commissioner. Youth who want to request an attorney should notify their social worker and/or Court Appointed Advocate/Guardian ad litem 
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Information for Potential Volunteers

The need for Court Appointed Advocate volunteers is great. Nearly 700 children do not have a Court Appointed Advocate/Guardian ad litem.

What does a Court Appointed Advocate/Guardian ad litem do?

For more information, see Volunteer Services.

Diversity Collective is an advisory committee of advocates of color and staff who work to promote social justice, advance the work of anti-racist advocacy and to create a racially reflective volunteer base that represents the children we serve within the Child Advocate Program of Pierce County.

For more information, please contact Ebony Morgan: [email protected] or 253.732.0438