MJM Law Office, P.C. will advocate for you in your juvenile dependency or delinquency case.  Mr. Mizejewski is experienced in Juvenile Court proceedings, and has appeared many times in Juvenile Court at the Juvenile Justice Center and John Serbu Youth Campus in Eugene, Oregon.  Whether your child is facing criminal charges, or your parental rights are being threatened by the State of Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), we can help.   

Advocating for Parents in Dependency Cases
When parents are accused of child abuse or neglect by the Department of Human Services (DHS), they face dependency hearings in the Juvenile Court. We have extensive experience representing parents and children in dependency cases involving:

• Fact finding and disposition hearings
• Temporary or permanent removal of children from the parental home
• Termination of parental rights

Almost all dependency cases are initiated by DHS, and are often started based on an anonymous complaint.  These complaints are often made by an angry ex-spouse.  DHS has the duty to follow up on each call.  If DHS finds a threat of harm to a child, they have the authority to remove the child from any environment which may put the child at risk for mental or physical harm, often with only a brief telephone hearing extended to the parents.  

Dependency cases go through formal court proceedings.  First,  DHS files a petition with the court detailing why, in the opinion of DHS and/or the District Attorney's office, the child should be made a ward of the court.  After the parents have been served with the petition and formally advised of the allegations, they will each be provided an opportunity to be heard at a hearing.  It is important to be represented by an experienced juvenile dependency lawyer at these hearings to ensure that your rights are protected.

At the initial fact finding hearing, the parents can either admit or deny the allegations. If the parents deny the allegations, there will be a trial before the court. There is no right to a jury trial in dependency cases. If the parents admit any of the allegations, or if the allegations on the petition are proven by a preponderance of evidence at trial, the court will find jurisdiction over the child and the child will become a ward of the court. This means the court will specify who exactly should care for the child, and what services should be offered to the parents (if any). In most cases, the court will give DHS great discretion on where to place the child, and how the child should be cared for.

The parents are then given approximately one year to meet the requirements of DHS.  The requirements are spelled out in the court report and recommendations, and often consist of a psychological evaluation, parenting classes, proof of safe & stable housing, and drug & alcohol or domestic violence evaluation and treatment, if those are issues.  If the parents do not meet the requirements to the satisfaction of DHS, then DHS begins moving toward the alternative plan, which usually means adoption to an outside party, or family member if one is available that meets with DHS approval

Protecting Juveniles in Delinquency Cases
Criminal convictions always have serious consequences, but juveniles face even more challenges than adults. However, juveniles also have specific rights. We aggressively defend juveniles' rights against charges such as:

• Sex offenses
• Assaults
• Burglary, robbery or theft
• Vandalism and trespass
• Drug offenses

All juvenile cases in Lane County are heard in the Juvenile Justice Center and John Serbu Youth Campus located at 2727 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Eugene, OR 97401.



Juvenile Law is complex and the stakes are high.  Call now to schedule an interview with an experienced juvenile dependency and delinquency lawyer.

Contact Us online or call 541-505-9872 to schedule a consultation.