In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Family Law
Glossaries
| Term | Main definition |
|---|---|
| Bail | Money or other form of security the judge requires to be held by the court to ensure that a criminal defendant, released while awaiting trial, will be in court for the trial. Bail is returned when the defendant returns for trial. |
| Bailiff | Courtroom attendant responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and supervising the jury. |
| Bench | The seat where a judge sits in court. |
| Best Interest Attorney | The court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of a minor or dependent child with respect to the support, custody and parenting time of the child. |
| Biological Father | The man who fathers a child by impregnating the mother. |
| Board of Supervisors | Local governing body at the county level. |
| Brief | Written statement explaining facts of a case and laws that apply. |
| Burden of Proof | The obligation placed on one of the people in a dispute to prove their allegations in order to obtain relief from the court. |