Office of Public Advocacy v. Superior Court, Third Judicial District

Summary

The court affirmed the superior court’s appointment of public agency counsel for an indigent putative father in a CINA proceeding. It held that CINA rules do not categorically require genetic testing before a court may determine parentage and appoint counsel, so long as the court finds sufficient evidence of parentage. The court also concluded that the sworn testimony and surrounding circumstances provided sufficient evidence in this case.