What Is An Adjudicatory Hearing (The Trial)?
If your case were being held in the adult court system, this hearing would be called a trial. In Juvenile Court, it is called an Adjudicatory Hearing. This hearing should be held about 90 days after your child was removed from your home. At this hearing, information is presented to help the judge decide if your child is: An abused minor A neglected minor A dependent minor If the judge finds that your child has not been abused or neglected, your child will be returned to you and you cannot be required to accept any services. If the judge decides there was abuse or neglect, he or she then decides what will happen to your child. This next decision takes place at the Dispositional Hearing. Sometimes both hearings are on the same day, one after the other.
