El Dorado County CPS Defense Attorney
Aggressive juvenile dependency defense for families in El Dorado County. Attorney Taryn Scharf fights to protect your parental rights.
CPS Investigations in El Dorado County
If you are facing a CPS investigation in El Dorado County, you need an attorney who understands the local juvenile dependency system. In El Dorado County, child welfare investigations are handled by the El Dorado County Child Protective Services. Cases are heard by the El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville or South Lake Tahoe. Attorney Taryn Scharf represents parents, grandparents and relatives in El Dorado County juvenile dependency proceedings.
El Dorado County Programs and Resources for Parents
From the county’s and the court’s own websites, checked September 2026. Scharf Law is not affiliated with these programs; your case plan and the court’s orders decide which apply to you.
Two courthouses
Dependency cases are heard in Placerville (Department 8, Building C, 2850 Fairlane Court; detention hearings weekdays at 1:15 p.m.) and in South Lake Tahoe (Department 4, 1354 Johnson Blvd.; detention hearings weekdays at 1:30 p.m.). Your notice says which department.
Appearing remotely
The court uses Unicorn Digital Courtroom for remote appearances. Juvenile detention hearings need no advance request; for other hearings, request a remote appearance under the court’s Local Rules. There is no remote-appearance fee in juvenile matters.
Treatment and Family Wellness Court
County substance use treatment access: (530) 621-6290 (press 5, business hours) or the 24/7 line (800) 929-1955. The court’s Family Wellness Court, run with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, accepts child welfare (dependency) cases.
El Dorado County CPS: What You Need to Know
CPS Agency: El Dorado County Child Protective Services
Courthouses: El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe
Areas Served: Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Shingle Springs
How CPS cases work in El Dorado County
El Dorado County stretches from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe, and its Child Protective Services unit works out of both Placerville and Tahoe. Dependency cases are heard in Placerville at the court’s Building C branch on Fairlane Court and, for Tahoe-side families, at the South Lake Tahoe branch on Johnson Boulevard. Families on the El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park side of the county are closer to our Folsom office than to the courthouse, which makes early, in-person preparation before the first hearing practical.
- Child welfare agency
- El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Child Protective Services (offices in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe)
- Report / hotline
- 24-hour reporting hotline (844) 756-3699; Placerville office (530) 642-7100; South Lake Tahoe office (530) 573-3201
- Dependency court
- Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, Placerville Building C Branch (dependency), 2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120, Placerville, CA 95667, (530) 621-5047 (Department 8); and South Lake Tahoe Branch, 1354 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, (530) 573-3075 (Department 4).
- From our office
- About 20 minutes from our Folsom office to El Dorado Hills and roughly 35 minutes to the Placerville dependency court.
Agency and court details verified September 2026 from county and court websites. Confirm hearing locations on your notice; courts occasionally reassign departments.
El Dorado County CPS questions
Who investigates CPS reports in El Dorado County?
Child Protective Services within the county’s Health and Human Services Agency. Reports go through the 24-hour hotline and are assigned to a social worker in either the Placerville or South Lake Tahoe office depending on where the family lives.
Where are El Dorado County dependency hearings held?
At the Placerville Building C branch of the Superior Court, 2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120 (Department 8), or, for Tahoe-side families, at the South Lake Tahoe branch, 1354 Johnson Blvd. (Department 4). Your notice says which one.
Can I refuse to answer the social worker’s questions?
Yes. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney at every stage. Be courteous, get the worker’s name and the allegations in writing, and let your attorney do the talking. See our guide to your rights during a CPS investigation.
How quickly is the first hearing after a removal?
The county must file its petition within 48 hours, excluding weekends and court holidays, and the detention hearing follows promptly, usually the next court day. That hearing sets where your child lives during the case and how often you see them.
Do you represent El Dorado County families?
Yes. Attorney Taryn Scharf represents parents and relatives in El Dorado County dependency cases and offers consultations by phone or at our Folsom office: (916) 782-3900.
Facing CPS in El Dorado County?
Attorney Taryn Scharf is ready to defend your family. Call now for a consultation.