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Local Rules of Superior Court of California, County of Imperial

the Court on what placement, or Rule 6.2.3 Family Law Advocate permanent plan (if any), and services Should the Juvenile Court dismiss are best for the child; Dependency and create a Family Law Order pursuant to W.I.C Section 362.4, the Court (i) Determine whether appropriate may continue the advocate’s appointment in services, including reasonable efforts, the Family Law proceeding. In such case, the are being provided to the child and Court shall specify the nature, extent, and family; duration of the advocate’s duties in the Family Law proceeding. (j) Ensure that the Court-approved plans for the child are being implemented; [Adopted January 1, 2011] attend Court hearings; Rule 6.2.4 Referral Procedures (k) Investigate the interests of the child in (a) A child’s dependency case may be judicial or administrative proceedings referred by the Court or by any outside of Juvenile Court, and interested person to the CASA communicate and coordinate efforts program for evaluation for with the child’s social worker and appointment at any point in the attorney. proceedings. (l) Conduct an independent investigation (b) Upon acceptance of the case by the of the circumstances surrounding the program and acceptance by an case, and interview and observe the available advocate, an Order for child and other appropriate Appointment shall be submitted to the individuals (that is, the parties Court by the CASA program staff, involved in the case as well as other requesting appointment of the persons having significant identified volunteer. The Court may information relating to the child). appoint an advocate at any time [Adopted January 1, 2011] following the jurisdictional hearing. In extraordinary cases, the presiding Rule 6.2.2 Specific Duties of Advocate judge, or his or her designee, may The Court shall, in its initial order of appoint an advocate prior to the appointment, and thereafter in subsequent establishment of jurisdiction. In such orders as appropriate, specifically delineate cases, the judicial officer shall be the advocate’s duties in each case. If no particularly specific as to the duties of specific duties are outlined by court order, the the advocate in order to reduce the advocate shall discharge his or her obligation risk that the advocate may become to the child and Court in accordance with the involved in the investigative process. general duties set forth above. The extent of an advocate’s investigative authority is the (c) The CASA office will notify the same as any other officer of the Court parties of the appointment of an appointed to investigate proceedings on advocate, and provide the name and behalf of the Court. An advocate is required contact information of the specific to report the results of his or her investigation advocate assigned to the case. to the Court and, if ordered to do so, provide [Adopted January 1, 2011] the Court with any other information the Court specifically requests.

[Adopted January 1, 2011]

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