Articles

In most cases, CFS will not tell you who made the report. California Penal Code section 11167(d) keeps a mandated reporter’s identity confidential, with narrow exceptions, and members of the public can report without giving a name. Trying to guess who called, or confronting them, usually hurts your case. Who usually makes reports Teachers, doctors,…

Most San Bernardino County CFS investigations are designed to conclude in about 30 days, though some run longer. The case ends with a finding of unfounded, inconclusive, or substantiated. A substantiated finding can have consequences long after the worker stops calling, including a listing on California’s Child Abuse Central Index (CACI). How quickly CFS must…

Refusing entry does not, by itself, give San Bernardino County CFS the right to take your child. Generally, a social worker needs your consent, a warrant, or a true emergency to come inside. But the investigation does not stop because you said no. Expect a follow-up visit, a call, a school interview, or a request…

No court order requires you to sign a voluntary safety plan. But the choice has consequences either way, so do not decide in a panic on your doorstep. A San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) safety plan is a written agreement a social worker proposes during an investigation, and it can decide who…

When San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) contacts your family, it is natural to have questions. Many parents have never dealt with Child Protective Services before and are unsure whether they should speak with a social worker, allow interviews, or wait until a court case is filed before contacting an attorney. The decisions…

Author: Mohammad Abuershaid, Attorney at LawALL Trial LawyersPractice Area: California Juvenile Dependency and CPS Defense If Child Protective Services (CPS) contacts your family in Redlands, do not assume that a report means the allegations are true or that your child will automatically be removed. In San Bernardino County, every CPS investigation follows a legal process…

Few allegations move a CPS case forward faster than substance abuse, and families in Riverside are no exception. Whether it’s a positive drug test at a hospital, a report from a family member, or an arrest, allegations involving drugs or alcohol can trigger an immediate investigation and, in some cases, removal of a child from…

Who Will Represent You in a San Bernardino County CFS Case, and How to Verify It Meet Mohammad “Mo” Abuershaid, founding partner of ALL Trial Lawyers and lead dependency practitioner, with 50+ years of combined firm experience behind every case. When San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) opens an investigation, the timeline moves…

Author: Mohammad “Mo” Abuershaid, Founding Partner, ALL Trial Lawyers | California Bar No. 297270 | Juvenile Dependency Defense AttorneyReviewed: July 25, 2026 | Practicing in California since 2014 If Child Protective Services (CPS) or San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) contacts you, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing…

Your Rights Do Not End When the San Bernardino Dependency Court Rules, Here Is What Comes Next When the San Bernardino County Juvenile Court issues a ruling that goes against you, whether that is a finding that your child is a dependent of the court, a denial of reunification services, or a termination of parental…