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Parents have legal protections when Child Protective Services opens an investigation. Under the Fourth Amendment, you do not have to let caseworkers into your home unless they have a search warrant or there is an emergency. You also have the right to know the specific allegations, refuse to answer questions, and talk to a…

California law does not offer true expungement, i.e., completely removing a criminal offense from your record. However, individuals can often seek a formal court dismissal of a past offense under Penal Code 1203.4.  This process reopens your case, lets you withdraw your guilty or no-contest plea, and sets aside the conviction. On a background…

Has Child Protective Services substantiated a finding of abuse or neglect against you? You generally have the right to request a grievance hearing to challenge the finding. You typically must submit this written request within 30 days of the CPS decision. Appealing a Substantiated Finding When CPS investigates a report of abuse/neglect, it determines…