Where a parent waived her rights and admitted the allegations of the petition at the dispositional hearing, her waiver of reunification services was also valid. Mother submitted a form waiving her rights, including an advisement that reunification services might not be offered, and signed a declaration that her attorney had explained the consequences of admitting the petition. The totality of the circumstances showed that appellant knowingly and intelligently waived her rights, and that she fully understood the consequences. Under California Rules of Court, rule 1449, a parent admitting a petition must be advised of the possible consequences of his or her plea, not the specific consequences. Although admonitions concerning the waiver of rights in dependency cases are rooted in constitutional considerations, the specific nature of any advisements about the consequences are set solely by rule 1449. The requirements of that rule were met here.
Case Summaries