Dependency Court 317(e) Program

SmartLaw’s Dependency Court Program is dedicated to ensuring that children under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Juvenile Dependency Court receive the legal representation they deserve. Our program is focused on enabling these children to pursue potential tort claims while ensuring their cases are handled efficiently and effectively.

This program establishes critical coordination between the Juvenile and Civil Courts, safeguarding the rights of dependent children. It ensures that these children are not disadvantaged due to their status and that tort cases serve their intended purpose: to deter neglect and intentional harm.

The types of cases eligible for referral under this program include injuries and damages from vehicular incidents, premises liability (such as slip and fall accidents), product defects, medical malpractice, common carrier liability, emotional distress due to injury to a primary caretaker, wrongful death of a parent or caretaker, intentional or negligent maltreatment by a caretaker, general negligence, and probate cases.

All relevant cases are referred by the Juvenile Court to the Los Angeles County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LACBA-LRS) for screening. These cases are then assigned to a specially selected panel of attorneys with the requisite experience and training, as established by LACBA-LRS and the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. 

To learn more about applying for the Dependency Court Tort Program, please contact LRS@lacba.org.

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DC Qualifying Panels

TORT

• Admiralty/Maritime Accidents
• Assault & Battery / Intentional Injuries
• Auto Accidents
• Aviation Accidents/Mass Disasters
• Defamation/Invasion of Privacy
• Malpractice—Dental
• Malpractice—Legal
• Malpractice—Medical
• Malpractice—Other
• Personal Injury/Premises Liability
• Products Liability
• Property Damage
• Sexual Assault/Childhood Sexual Abuse
• Suits against States/Municipalities
• Tavern Owners Liability

WILLS, TRUSTS, & ESTATES

• Probate