San Bernardino County CPS Detention Hearings

What to Expect After Your Child Is Removed by Children and Family Services

If your child has been taken by Children and Family Services (CFS) in San Bernardino County, your first court hearing will be a CPS detention hearing. This is one of the most important moments in your juvenile dependency case. At this hearing, the judge will decide whether your child will remain in foster care or be returned to your care—or placed with a relative—while the case moves forward.

If you are facing a detention hearing in San Bernardino County, it is critical to speak with a San Bernardino CPS lawyer immediately. You have a short window to act, and what happens at this hearing can shape the entire case.

What Is a Detention Hearing in a CPS Case?

A CPS detention hearing is the first court hearing after your child is removed from your home. It usually happens within 72 hours, not including weekends or court holidays. During the hearing, the court reviews allegations filed under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300, which outlines the legal grounds for removing a child due to alleged abuse, neglect, or danger in the home.

CFS may claim:

• Physical or emotional abuse
• Neglect or failure to supervise
• Exposure to domestic violence
• Drug or alcohol use around the child
• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions

The judge must determine if there is an immediate risk to your child’s safety and whether continued removal is necessary.

Where Do CPS Detention Hearings Take Place in San Bernardino County?

Most juvenile dependency cases in San Bernardino County are heard at the:

San Bernardino Justice Center – Juvenile Dependency Court
900 East Gilbert Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415

If your case is assigned to a different court or if you live in a nearby city such as Fontana, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, or Ontario, your hearings may still be centralized at the main San Bernardino dependency courthouse.

What Happens During the Detention Hearing?

At the hearing, the court will:

• Review the CFS report and WIC 300 petition
• Hear from attorneys representing you, your child, and CFS
• Decide whether your child will return home, stay in foster care, or be placed with a safe relative
• Set future court dates for the case

You have the right to attend the hearing, speak with the judge, and be represented by a San Bernardino juvenile dependency attorney. The court will also assign a separate lawyer for your child.

Can My Child Come Home After the Detention Hearing?

Possibly. The judge can order your child returned to your custody with or without court supervision if it is determined your child is not at immediate risk. If the judge believes the home is still unsafe, your child may remain in foster care or be placed with a relative while the case continues.

Having a strong legal advocate at this early stage is essential. An experienced CPS defense lawyer can challenge the allegations, present evidence in your favor, and advocate for your child’s return or for placement with a trusted family member.

Why Legal Help Is Critical at the Detention Stage

Detention hearings happen quickly and are often overwhelming for parents. The judge is relying on limited information, and without proper representation, your voice may not be heard. Working with a San Bernardino CPS lawyer gives you a real chance to defend yourself, protect your rights, and influence the outcome from the beginning.

Our attorneys will:

• Respond immediately to the removal and prepare your defense
• Appear with you at the detention hearing
• Identify safe and appropriate family members for possible placement
• Fight to reunite you with your child as soon as possible

Call Now for Help with a CPS Detention Hearing in San Bernardino County

If CFS has removed your child, don’t wait. You only have a few days before your detention hearing, and what you do now matters. Call today for a confidential consultation with a trusted San Bernardino CPS lawyer who can help you prepare and take action.

We serve families across San Bernardino County, including San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Redlands, and surrounding communities. Let us fight for your family and your rights from day one.