Ariz. R. P. Juv. Ct. Form 4
To the child's parent:
READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.
The Department of Child Safety (DCS) [or __________] has filed a termination motion or petition concerning your child.
As a parent, you have rights in this case. You have the right to an attorney. Your attorney will be with you at every hearing in your case. You have a right to a trial (called an adjudication hearing) on the allegations in the motion or petition. At the adjudication hearing your attorney can question any witness who testifies against you. You have the rights at the adjudication hearing to subpoena witnesses, to present documents, and to testify on your own behalf. Hearings are open to the public, but you may ask the court to close the hearing.
The court will consider the evidence and decide at the adjudication hearing whether the allegations in the motion or petition have been proven and whether adoption would be in the child's best interests.
As a parent, you also have responsibilities:
You must appear for every court date. You are required to appear for every hearing the court sets including a pre-trial conference, a settlement conference, and the adjudication hearing. If you don't show up for a court date and you don't have a good reason for not showing up, the court may find that you waived your rights in this case and that you have admitted the allegations in the motion or petition. The court may then consider evidence in your absence, terminate your parental rights, and place the child for adoption.
Your next court hearing is:
The date and time are:
The judge is:
The courthouse address is:
The courtroom number is:
Your attorney's telephone number is:
The court will presume you understand this notice unless you tell the court at today's hearing that you do not.
My signature means that I received a copy of this notice and that I understand my rights, my responsibilities, and the consequences of failing to appear at future hearings or failing to participate in reunification services.
_______________________
Signature
_______________________
Date
This Notice must be filed by the Clerk of the Court as a Confidential Document pursuant to Rule 43.1(h), Rules of Family Law Procedure.
Ariz. R. P. Juv. Ct. Form 4