WPCG ߬( ȳ=e4$!.qQ.7I+UhM\4޷UHbtbwh[W=22nKkŊ^g%$b~@ZhguxDѲ0s4kŲ("LK;eY&0b,ՏeKssgEUĔuXɈJDle AE=$"4y!V$$gI#\Ix$&R`$,\zF'PNj,Q[UpM uJ4K E%l<ӞS`"1d)9k&3#!UN9 % 0(UdN^ w@4Ocr mtN    0N)7HP LaserJet 5Si,,,,0(hH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($(hH  Z6Times New Roman Regular(.8 {EwwwN7ﵐ3s\Backu\3|x UGUARDIANAPPEALMINORSGUARDIAN(O$APPEALMINORS !  _X0EXXXXX0E   8UdXXdd8ATTORNEY   lPARENTS4 O  5  GUARDIANADLITEM6O  7 4  4 O  5  APPEAL6O  7   4 O  5  MINORS#!+#!#X0EXJ#XX0E6O  7 J   PARENTS:  UnderthedueprocessclauseoftheFourteenthAmendment,thereisadueprocessrighttoanattorneyincertaincases.AstheSupremeCourtexplained, [_i]f_,inagivencase,theparentsinterestswereattheirstrongest,theStatesinterestswereattheirweakest,andtherisksoferrorwereattheirpeak,itcouldnotbesaidthatthefactors[underMatthewsv._Eldridge_(1976)424U.S.319]didnotovercomethepresumption   againsttherighttoappointedcounsel,andthatdueprocessthereforedidnotrequiretheappointmentofcounsel....Wetherefore...leavethedecisionwhetherdueprocesscallsfortheappointmentofcounselforindigentparentsinterminationproceedingstobeansweredinthefirstinstancebythetrialcourt,subject,ofcourse,toappellatereview.(_Lassiter_Ԁv.DepartmentofSocialServices(1981)452U.S.18,3132.) [_T]he_Ԁultimate  issueswithwhichaterminationhearingdealsarenotalwayssimple,howevercommonplacetheymaybe.Expertmedicalandpsychiatrictestimony,whichfewparentsareequippedtounderstandandfewerstilltoconfute,issometimespresented.Theparentsarelikelytobepeoplewithlittleeducation,whohavehaduncommondifficultyindealingwithlife,andwhoare,atthehearing,thrustintoadistressinganddisorientingsituation.Thatthesefactorsmaycombinetooverwhelman_uncounseled_Ԁparentisevidentfromthefindingssomecourtshavemade.[Citation.]Thus,courtshavegenerallyheldthattheStatemustappointcounselforindigentparentsatterminationproceedings.[Citations](Id.,atp.30.)Therefore,thedueprocessrighttoappointedcounsel  attachesifcounselwouldhavemadea determinativedifferenceintheproceeding.(In   reRonaldR.(1995)37Cal.App.4th1186,1196.) !   In_Lassiter_...,theSupremeCourthelddueprocessmayrequirethe " appointmentofcounselinaproceedingtoterminateparentalrights;thedeterminationistobemadeonacasebycasebasis,applyingthefactorsfromMatthews_v,_Ԁ_Eldridge_ $  (1976)424U.S.3,19.(InreAngelW.(2001)93Cal.App.4th1074,1080.) %!!   Courtshavefoundadueprocessrighttoappointedcounselindependencycases.(InreJulianL.(1998)67Cal.App.4th204,207208;KathrynS.v.SuperiorCourt '## (2000)82Cal.App.4th958,972[whenparentnotabletoattendcourt];#!##!InreChristinaP. ($$ (1985)175Cal.App.3d115,129[dependsonthecomplexityofissuesandthelikelihoodtheassistancemightswaytheoutcome;righttoeffectiveassistance,otherwiseahollowright];AdoptionofMichaelD.(1989)209Cal.App.3d122,135;Inre_Darlice_ԀC.(2003) +'' 105Cal.App.4th459,462[recognizingaparenthasaconstitutionalrighttocounselinsomedependencyproceedings];InreAndrewS.(1994)27Cal.App.4th541,548549  [noconstitutionalrighttoappointedcounselat366.26hearing];seeCleaverv.Wilcox  (9thCir.1974)499F.2d940,945[whenevertheparentfacts asubstantialpossibilityoflossofcustodyorprolongedseparationfromachild];butseeInreAmandaG.  (1986)186Cal.App.3d1075#!##XUdX!e#X0EXXXUdXX0E.)Thedueprocessclauserequirescompetentcounselat   permanentplanhearing,reviewhearing,settingofpermanentplanhearingandat anyotherhearing...which[has]thepotentialofterminatingreunificationservicesandsettinga366.26hearing.(InreArturoA.(1992)8Cal.App.4th229,239240[finding   constitutionalrighttocounselinmostdependencycases];butdescribedasdictabythe   samecourtinInreAngelicaV.(1995)37Cal.App.4th1007,1013,fn.3;Inre_Kristin_ԀH.   (1996)46Cal.App.4th1635,1666;seeDoev.Mann(N.D.Cal.2003)285F.Supp.2d   1229,#!##XUdX!#X0EXXXUdXX0E12391240[tribehadrighttoeffectiveassistanceofcounseltolitigateICWA   claim];seealsoInreO.S.(2002)102Cal.App.4th1402,1407#X0EX$#XX0E#!#!.)     #!U#!#X0EX#XX0E  Theparenthasatleastastatutoryrighttocompetentattorney.(InreO.S.(2002)  102Cal.App.4th1402,14081409[nottimelyassertpaternity];InreEileenA.(2000)84  Cal.App.4th1248,1255[didnotfile388petitionat366.26hearing],disapprovedonothergroundsin#!#Inre_Zeth_ԀS.(2003)31Cal.4th396,!413414;GlenC.v.SuperiorCourt  (2000)78Cal.App.4th570;InreAnnaM.(1997)54Cal.App.4th463;Inre_Kristin_ԀH.  (1996)46Cal.App.4th1635,1668[raisedbyhabeaspetition];InreArturoA.(1992)8  Cal.App.4th229,239240[dueprocessright];InreJamesS.(1991)227Cal.App.3d  930,935,fn.13;InreChristinaH.(1986)182Cal.App.3d47,50[evenifhired];butsee  Inre_Meranda_ԀP.(1997)56Cal.App.4th1143,1153,disapprovedofinInre_Darlice_ԀC.  (2003)105Cal.App.4th459,465[_Meranda_ԀP.conflictwithCal.Const.,art.VI,10]#!#!#X0EX#XX0E;  InreBrandonC.(1993)19Cal.App.4th1168,11701171[habeaspetitionallegingnew  evidencetochallengejurisdictiondismissedbecausea388petitionprovidedanadequateremedyatlaw].)Thus, aparenthasarighttocounsel,includingappointedcounsel,ifnecessary#!#!#X0EX#XX0E(Welf.&Inst.Code,#X0EX ##XUdXXX0EH #X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ317,subds.(a)(&(b)),whohasnotonlytheabilitybut   alsothedutytoprotecttheparentsrightsundertheICWA.(InreS.B.(2005)130 ! Cal.App.4th1148,#X0EX'!#XX0E#!!#!1160.)Aparentwhohasarighttoappointedcounselisentitledto " competentcounsel;otherwise, itwillbeahallowright.[Citations.](Inre_Kristin_ԀH. # (2000)46#!"#!#X0EX@"#XX0ECal.App.4th#!###XUdX!$#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ1635,1659.) $  #!~$##XUdX!$#!XXUd!  Habeascorpusisavailableincertaincivilproceedings.[Citation].Specifically, &"" habeascorpusisavailable [where]aparentseekscustodyofachildlivingwithanother.[Citation.][Citation.]AclaimofineffectiveassistanceofcounselinadependencymatterisgenerallycognizableintheCourtofAppealonapetitionforwritofhabeascorpus.(Inre_Kristin_ԀH.(1996)46Cal.App.4th1635,16581659,1667.)(In *&& reCarrieM.(2001)90Cal.App.4th530,533.)The writwillliewhenaperson +'' entitledtocustodyofaminorchildisdeniedpossessionthereof.(InreBarr(1952)39  #!D%#!#X0EX%%#XX0ECal.2d#!(##XUdX!(#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ25,27.)(InrePaulW.(2007)151#!7)#!#X0EXV)#XX0ECal.App.4th#!)##XUdX! *#!XXUd!Ԁ37,53.)Insuchcases,the  personhavingcustodyofthechildmaybeaproperrespondent.(See,e.g.,Inre_Lukasik_  (1951)108#!*#!#X0EXy*#XX0ECal.App.2d#!+##XUdX!+#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ438,446;Inre_Macedo_(1953)118#!\,#!#X0EX{,#XX0ECal.App.2d#!-##XUdX!H-#!XXUd!Ԁ276,277.)   Becausetherulesonhabeascorpuspetitionsevolvedinthecontextofprisonersassertingunlawfulconfinementorconditionsofconfinement,theydonotfitthedependencycontextwell.(Abbott,etal.,Cal.JuvenileDependencyPractice(_Cont.Ed.Bar_Ԁ2006supp.)AppealsandWrits,10.113,p.586.)Nevertheless,habeaspetitionsarerecognizedaspropervehiclesforraisingclaimsofineffectiveassistanceofcounselindependencyproceedings.(Inre_Kristin_ԀH.,supra,46Cal.App.4thatpp.   1658,1663;accord,InreCarrieM.(2001)90Cal.App.4th530,533534.)#!-#!#X0EX-#XX0E     Onecourthasobservedthathabeaspetitionsarebeingfiledwithincreasingregularity.(SeeInrePaulW.(2007)151#!0#!#X0EX$1#XX0ECal.App.4th#!2##XUdX!H2#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#!2#!#X0EX2#XX0E66(conc.opn.ofBamattre   Manoukian,J.).)ForaprimeronhowtofileahabeaspetitionseeInrePaulW.(2007)  151#!3#!#X0EX`3#XX0ECal.App.4th#!I4##XUdX!4#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#X0EX4#XX0E#!5#!6771(conc.opn.ofBamattreManoukian,J.).#!5#!#X0EXa5#XX0E    Habeaspetitioncanbefiledconcurrentlywithappealafterterminationofparentalrights(InreCarrieM.(2001)90Cal.App.4th530,534535&fn.4;accord,Inre  _Darlice_ԀC.(2003)105Cal.App.4th459,463;#!6#!butseeInre_Meranda_ԀP.(1997)56  Cal.App.4th1143,1150[cannotcollaterallyattackaterminationofparentalrights].)  Cannotattackpreviousorders.(Inre_Meranda_ԀP.(1997)56Cal.App.4th1143,  1150;InreCarrieM.(2001)90Cal.App.4th530,534;#!7#!#X0EXV6#XX0EbutseeInreO.S.(2002)102  Cal.App.4th1402,1406[_Meranda_ԀP.notapplyherebecause_Meranda_ԀP.hadseveral  opportunitiestochallengecounsel,butherecounselwasappointedaftersettingthepermanentplanhearing];InreS.D.(2002)99Cal.App.4th1068,10791080[an  exceptioniswhenitwouldbeadueprocessviolation].)  Therespondenttoahabeaspetitionistheonewithconstructivecustody,normallyCPS.(InrePaulW.(2007)151#!9#!#X0EX9#XX0ECal.App.4th#!z<##XUdX!<#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#!K=#!#X0EX,=#XX0E53.)#!=##XUdX!=#X0EXXXUdXX0E    Ineffectiveassistanceofcounselcanbeconsideredondirectappealonlyif theresimplycouldbenosatisfactoryexplanationfortrialcounselsactionorinaction.(Peoplev.Pope(1979)23Cal.3d412,426.)(InreDennisH.(2001)88 # Cal.App.4th94.)Althoughineffectiveassistanceofcounselisusuallyraisedbywritpetition,candosoondirectappeal intherarecasewheretheappellaterecorddemonstratestheresimplycouldbenosatisfactoryexplanation.(InreS.D.(2002)99 &"" Cal.App.4th1068,1071,quotingPeoplev.Pope(1979)23Cal.3d412,426.)Canraise '## ineffectiveassistanceofcounselclaimondirectappealfromtheterminationofparentalrights.(InreS.D.(2002)99Cal.App.4th1068,1071;InreEileenA.(2000)84 )%% Cal.App.4th1248,1259,disapprovedonothergroundsin#!>>#Inre_Zeth_ԀS.(2003)31Cal.4th *&& 396,!413414.)#!B#!#X0EX]>#XX0E +'' Ї#!0C#!#X0EXrC#XX0E  Itdoesnotdefeatineffectiveassistanceofcounselclaimthataparentneverraised  anissueorpursuedacourseofaction. Itistheattorneysroletoanalyzetheclientslegalpositionandsuggestastrategyorrecommendissuesthatcouldbeexplored.(Inre  S.D.(2002)99Cal.App.4th1068,1079.) Theparentishardlyinapositionto  recognize,andindependentlyprotest,herattorneysfailuretoproperlyanalyzetheapplicablelaw.Ifwehadsomereasonableexpectationthatparentscoulddoso,wewouldnotneedtohireattorneysforthematall.(Id.,atp.1080.)Thus,unlesscan   showtheparent,notjusttheattorney,wouldknowofanissue,cannotsaytheparentwaivesaclaimofineffectiveassistanceofcounsel.(Id.,atp.1082.)     If,asouradversarysystempresupposes,accurateandjustresultsaremostlikelytobeobtainedthroughtheequalcontestofopposedinterests,theStatesinterestinthechildswelfaremayperhapsbestbeservedbyahearinginwhichtheparentsandtheStateactingforthechildarerepresentedbycompetentcounsel.(_Lassiter_Ԁv.Dept.of   SocialServices(1981)452U.S.18,28;InrePaulW.(2007)151#!C#!#X0EX D#XX0ECal.App.4th#!I##XUdX!J#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#!J#!#X0EXJ#XX0E6465;  Inre_Emilye_ԀA.(1992)9#!J#!#X0EX3K#XX0ECal.App.4th#!K##XUdX!L#!XXUd!Ԁ1695,1710.)  #X0EXL#XX0E#!L#!  NoineffectiveassistanceofcounselforfailingtodemurebecauseCPScouldhave  amendedthepetition.(InreAthenaP.(2002)103#!GM#Cal.App.4th!Ԁ617,628.)    Norighttosameappointedattorneyfromtheofficethroughoutthedependency.(InreMalcolmD.(1996)42Cal.App.4th904,913.)    Acourtshallprovidesufficientexpertstoassistappointedcounsel.However,thecourtdidnotneedtoappointanexpertfortheparenttoobservevisitation.(InreValerie  A.(2007)152#X0EXM#XX0ECal.App.4th#X0EX2P#XX0EԀ987,#X0EXP##XUdXXX0E?N#X0EXXXUdXX0E1012.)    DifferentofficesoftheChildrensLawCentercanrepresentclientswithadverseinterests.(InreJasmineS.(2007)153#!P#!#X0EX Q#XX0ECal.App.4th#!Q##XUdX!9R#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ835,843846.)#!R#!#X0EXR#XX0E     Reversibleerror:Toprevailonaclaimofineffectiveassistanceofcounsel,mustshow(1)counselfailedtoactinamannerexpectedofareasonablycompetentattorneyindependencylaw,and(2)butforthedeficientperformanceofcounsel,therewasareasonableprobabilitytheresultswouldhavebeenmorefavorable.Reasonablenessrequiresashowingthattherewasnotacticalreasonfortheattorneysdecision;therefore,ineffectiveassistanceofcounselmayberaisedinahabeaspetition[Watsontest].(Inre '## KristinH.(1996)46Cal.App.4th1635,1668;InreMelvinA.(2000)82Cal.App.4th ($$ 1243,1252;InreDawnL.(1988)201Cal.App.3d35,37;cf.InreEileenA.(2000)84 )%% Cal.App.4th1248,1259,disapprovedonothergroundsin#!S#InreZethS.(2003)31Cal.4th *&& 396,!413414;InreDarliceC.(2003)105Cal.App.4th459,466467[whenthereisa +'' primafaciecase,issueanOSCreturnabletothejuvenilecourttoresolvefactualdisputes,asDCAshouldonlyconsiderissuesoflaw].)  Reversibleerror:Onecaseheldappellantneedonlymakeprimafacieshowingofineffectiveassistanceofcounselondirectappealinorderforthecourtofappealto_reversethejudgementandremandwithdirectionsforthejuvenilecourttoholdhearingsastotheallegedineffectiveassistanceandthebestinterestsoftheminor.(InreEileen   A.(2000)84Cal.App.4th1248,1259,disapprovedonothergroundsin#!HW#_In_Ԁre_Zeth_ԀS.   (2003)31Cal.4th396,!413414;accord,InreO.S.(2002)102Cal.App.4th1402,1409.)   ̚  Courtcannotrelieveattorneyofparentjustbecausetheparentisnotappearingincourt.(_Katheryn_ԀS.v.SuperiorCourt(2000)82Cal.App.4th958,971;InreJulianL.   (1998)67Cal.App.4th204,207;InreMalcolmD.(1996)42Cal.App.4th904,914915;   seeInreAndrewS.(1994)27Cal.App.4th541,549[partymustshowprejudicebecause   therightisstatutorynotconstitutional];InreRonaldR.(1995)37Cal.App.4th1186,  11921195[same];butseeInreEbonyW.(1996)47Cal.App.4th1643,1648[noneed  toappointcounselforabsentparentwhoneverrequestedcounsel];JanetQ.v.Superior  Court(1996)42Cal.App.4th1058,10641066.)    Reversibleerror:Watsontest,usuallyharmless,evenwhenparentnotpresent.  (InreJamieR.(2001)90Cal.App.4th766,772[thoughissuewaived,errorwas  harmlessthatcourtdeniedrighttocounselbyexaminingminorsaloneincamera];Inre  MalcolmD.(1996)42Cal.App.4th904,914915;InreRonaldR.(1995)37Cal.App.4th  1186[Watsontestforerroneouslygrantingattorneysmotiontowithdraw];InreRonald  R.(1995)37Cal.App.4th1186,11921195[clientnotshowingforcourt];butsee  #!Z#!#X0EX[S#XX0E_Katheryn_ԀS.v.SuperiorCourt(2000)82Cal.App.4th958,971[reversewhennoclient  andnoattorney];InreJulianL.(1998)67Cal.App.4th204,207[same];InreAndrewS.  (1994)27Cal.App.4th541,549[relievedbecauseunabletocontactclient];#!a#!#X0EXa#XX0EԀInreLaura  H.(1992)8Cal.App.4th1689,1696[Chapmantestwhendenied_atty_Ԁforminorsin  chambertestimony;prejudicewhencontestedmatterandcrossexaminationofminorknownforlyingcouldhavebeenhelpful].)  Righttoa(lessrigorous)_Faretta_hearing;acompetentparenthastherighttoself # representation.(InreAngelW.(2001)93Cal.App.4th1074,1082;InreJustinL.(1987) $  188Cal.App.3d1068,1077;seeInreBrianR.(1991)2Cal.App.4th907,921 %!! [assumed].) &""   Reversibleerror.ErrorindenyingselfrepresentationreviewedundertheWatson '## test.(InreAngelW.(2001)93Cal.App.4th1074,1082,1085;JustinL.,supra,atpp. ($$ 10771078.)  Righttoa(lessrigorous)_Marsden_hearing.(InreJamesS.(1991)227 +'' Cal.App.3d930,935,fn.13;InreAnnS.(1982)137Cal.App.3d148,150;seeInre  FrankL.(2000)81#!\c#Cal.App.4th!Ԁ700[assumed];InreJoshuaM.(1997)56#!h#Cal.App.4th!  801[assumed];seealsoInre_Joann_ԀE.(2002)104Cal.App.4th347,358,fn.10  [concerningappointmentofguardianadlitem,parentcannotbeexpectedtoshowprejudicewhentheerrorwasthedeprivationofahearing];SantaClaraCo.LocalJuvenileRules,rule2D(2)a.)  Notonlydoestheparenthaveastatutoryrighttocounsel,butarighttocompetentcounsel.#!Pi#!#X0EXc#XX0E(_Welf_.&Inst.Code,#![k##XUdX!k#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ317.5;#!;l#!#X0EXZl#XX0ECal.RulesofCourt,rule#!l##XUdX!l#!XXUd!Ԁ1438(c).)Undersection   317.6andrule1438,proceduresmustbesetupineachcountybythesuperiorcourtforhandlingclientcomplaintsregardingappointedcounselsperformance.#!m#!#X0EXdm#XX0E(Cal.Rulesof   Court,rule#!n##XUdX!n#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ1438(a)(2)(F).)Courtshaveadoptedthemodelsetforthin#!jo#!#X0EXo#XX0EPeoplev.   _Marsden_(1970)2Cal.3d118#! p#!Ԁ#X0EXMp#XX0E#!p#!forresolvingclientcomplaintsagainstappointedcounsel   independencycourt.(See,e.g.,InreJamesS.(1991)227Cal.App.3d930,935.)#!pq#!#X0EX.q#XX0E   #!Wr#!#X0EXr#XX0E  Itispresumedthatcounselactedwithappellantsauthority.(InreJaimeR.  (2001)90Cal.App.4th766,772.)@*#!r#!  Standing:Cannotraiseincompetenceofotherparentsattorney.(InreJoshuaM.  (1997)56Cal.App.4th801,807.)  Standing:Aparentdoesnotautomaticallybecomeapartyinanotherparentshabeasproceeding.(InrePaulW.(2007)151#!*t#!#X0EX2s#XX0ECal.App.4th#!u##XUdX!u#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#!nv#!#X0EXOv#XX0E56,6264.)    Waiver:Aparentwhofailstointerveneinanotherparentshabeasproceedingdoesnothavetherighttochallengethefindingonappeal.(InrePaulW.(2007)151  #!v#!#X0EXv#XX0ECal.App.4th#!)x##XUdX!kx#!XXUd!Ԁ37,#!x#!#X0EXx#XX0E58.)  #!Ay##XUdX!y#!XXUd!%  GUARDIAN% EzADLITEM:    Guardianadlitemappointedforaparentiftheparentisundertheageof18years,agrees,orifcourtfindsaftercontestedhearingthattheparentincompetentunderPenalCodesection1367orProbateCodesection1801orCodeCivilProceduresection372.Shouldprovidenotice,giveaparentanopportunitytoobject,andholdahearingiftheparentdoesobjectinwhichaGALappointedonlyiftheparentisunabletounderstandthecourtproceedingsorassistcounsel.(InreC.G.(2005)129Cal.App.4th27,#!!z#!#X0EXz#XX0E33 %!! [appointmentofGALviolateddueprocesswhenparentconsentedwithoutanadequateexplanation];InreJessicaG.(2001)93Cal.App.4th1180,1189,overruledonother '## groundsin_In_ԀreC.G.(2005)129Cal.App.4th27,#!|#!#X0EX}#XX0E34[tellingparentshewillhaveaGAL ($$ isnoinquiryatall];accord,InreDanielS.(2004)115Cal.App.4th903,#!~#!#X0EX~#XX0EԀ912;Inre )%% _Joann_ԀE.(2002)104Cal.App.4th347,355356[noconsentwhennotclearfromthe *&& recordthatparentknewwhata GALwas];InreSaraD.(2001)87Cal.App.4th661; +'' InreChristinaB.(1993)19Cal.App.4th1441,1451;butseeContraCostaCounty  Children&FamilyServicesBureauv.SuperiorCourt(LyndaO.)(2004)117  Cal.App.4th111,118119[SaraD.notretroactive].)    Iftheparentconsents,dueprocessisserved.(InreDanielS.[(2004)]115  Cal.App.4th[903,]912.)However,iftheparentdoesnotconsentorisnotconsulted,thecourtmustexplaintotheparent/childthepurposeoftheguardianadlitemappointment,theauthoritytheguardianwillhave(andwhichtheparentwillnothave)inthelitigation,andwhytheattorneybelievestheappointmentshouldbemade.(InreJessicaG.   [(2001)]93Cal.App.4th[1180,]1188.)Inaddition, thecourtshouldmakeaninquiry   sufficienttosatisfyitthattheparentis,orisnot,competent;i.e.,whethertheparentunderstandsthenatureoftheproceedingsandcanassisttheattorneyinprotectinghis/herrights.#!#!#X0EX#XX0E(Ibid.#!#!#X0EXڅ#XX0E,quotingInreSaraD.[(2001)]87Cal.App.4th[661,]672.)(InreC.G.   (2005)129Cal.App.4th27,32.)#X0EXj#XX0E#!(#!  Thetestforincompetenceinthiscontextiswhetherthepartyhasthecapacitytounderstandthenatureorconsequencesoftheproceeding,andisabletoassistcounselinpreparationofthecase.(InreJessicaG.(2001)93Cal.4th1180,1186,overruledon  othergroundsin_In_ԀreC.G.(2005)129Cal.App.4th27,34#!|#!#X0EX:#XX0E.)    Aguardianadlitemisnotapartytotheaction,butmerelyapartysrepresentative[citations],anofficerofthecourtwithlimitedpowers[citations]. Heislikeanagentwithlimitedpowers.[Citations.]Thedutiesofaguardianadlitemareessentiallyministerial.[Citation].[]Theguardianadlitemspurposeistoprotecttherightsoftheincompetentperson.[Citation.]Heorshehastherighttocontrolthelitigationonbehalfoftheincompetentperson....Amonghispowersaretherighttocompromiseorsettletheaction(CodeCiv.Proc,372),tocontroltheproceduralstepsincidenttotheconductofthelitigation[citation],and,withapprovalofthecourt,tomakestipulationsorconcessionsthatarebindingonthe[incompetent],providedtheyarenotprejudicialtothelattersinterests[citation].[Citation.](InreChristinaB.(1993) ! 19Cal.App.4th1441,1454.)Guardianadlitemcannotrelinquishafundamentalrightoftheparentunlessthereisasignificantbenefitfortheparentbywaiving.(InreChristina # B.(1993)19Cal.App.4th1441,14421445.) $    Aguardianadlitemisnotapartytotheaction,butmerelyapartysrepresentative....Aguardianadlitemsroleismorethananattorneysbutlessthanapartys.(Marriageof_Cabellero_(1994)18Cal.App.4th919,928,fn.9;_J.W._Ԁv.Superior '## Court(1993)17Cal.App.4th958,964.) Thereisnochangeofpartiesbythe ($$ appointmentoftheguardianadlitem.Theguardiandoesnotbecomeaparty.(Estateof )%% _Cochems_(1952)110Cal.App.2d27,2930.)Aguardianadlitemis likeanagentwith *&& limitedpowers.(Robinsonv.Wilson(1974)44Cal.App.3d92,100.) Anyactsor +'' concessionsthatapparentlywaiveorsurrenderanymaterialrightofthe[incompetent,]suchastherighttoatrial,shouldbesetasideunlesstheybeshowntobebeneficialor,inanyevent,notprejudicialtotherightsandinterestsofthe[incompetent].(Id.,atp.101;  seeEstateofLacy(1975)54Cal.App.3d172,185[havinganadverseinterestisaground  forremovingaguardianadlitem].)  Thecourtwasrequiredtoappointaguardianadlitemtoan(unrepresented)parentwhowasundertheageof18yearsandnotemancipated.(InreD.D.(2006)144   #!P#!#X0EX#XX0ECal.App.4th#!##XUdX!#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ646,652654.)     Onlyaguardianadlitemcanfileanoticeofappealunlessitisanappealchallengingthevalidityoftheorderofguardianshipitself.(SeeInreMoss(1898)120   Cal.695,697.)#!g##XUdX!#X0EXXXUdXX0E  Waiver:Failuretoimmediatelyappealappointmentofguardianadlitemdidnot  waivetheissue.(InreEnriqueG.(2006)140#!#!#X0EX #XX0ECal.App.4th#!##XUdX!6#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ676,683;#!#!#X0EXŘ#XX0EInre_Joann_ԀE.  (2002)104Cal.App.4th347,353.)̚#!#!  Reversibleerror:Appointmentofguardianadlitemwithoutadequateinquiryis  reversibleperse.(InreEnriqueG.(2006)140#!#!#X0EXT#XX0ECal.App.4th#!##XUdX!5#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ676,685;InreC.G.(2005)  129Cal.App.4th27,#!#!#X0EXě#XX0E34.)Othercasesholditisaviolationofdueprocessandreviewed  underChapmantest.(InreSaraD.(2001)87Cal.App.4th661,673;seeInreDanielS.  (2004)115Cal.App.4th903,#!Q#!#X0EX#XX0EԀ912[errorharmlessbeyondareasonabledoubt].)  ErroneousappointmentofguardianadlitemreviewedunderChapman.(InreEnrique  G.(2006)140#!ȝ#!#X0EX #XX0ECal.App.4th#!##XUdX!P#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ676,686[harmlessbecausetheguardiandidnotgiveupany  fundamentalrights];Inre_Joann_ԀE.(2002)104Cal.App.4th347,358360&fn.10  [reversiblewhenattorneywasgoingtocallwitnessesuntilguardianappointedandparentcontinuedtocomplainata_Marsden_hearingthatwitnesseswerenotcalled].)#!#!#X0EXߟ#XX0E  %  APPEAL%E:  Righttoappointedcounselonappealwhencontestingprivateadoption(InreJ. " W.(2002)29#!ɡ#Cal.4th!Ԁ200,213[construingFam.Code,7895];InreJacquelineH. # (1978)21Cal.3d170,177;AppellateDefenders,Inc.v._Cheri_ԀS.(1995)35#!)#!Cal.App.4th#!7#! $  1819;butseeInreCurtisS.(1994)25#!#!Cal.App.4th#! #!Ԁ687[overruledonthispointin_In_Ԁre %!! J.W.(2002)29#!V#!Cal.4th#! #!Ԁ200,213.) &"" #!R#!#X0EX #XX0E#!#  Norighttoappointedattorneyifrespondentinadependencycase.(InreBryceC. ($$ (1996)12Cal.4th226;InreJoshuaB.(1996)48Cal.App.4th1676[butcourtshall )%% exerciseitsdiscretionliberally].) +''   Norighttoappointedattorneyonappealfordefactoparent;matterofcourtsdiscretion.(InrePatriciaL.(1992)9Cal.App.4th61;InreRachelC.(1991)235  Cal.App.3d1445;InreJodyR.(1990)218Cal.App.3d1615;cf.InreJoelH.(1993)19  Cal.App.4th1195[where_atty_Ԁnotapptd].)!  Despiterulesofcourtinsomeappellatecourts,appellatecounselfortheminor   shallexerciseindependentjudgmentandnotpresumptivelysupporttheactionsoftheminorsattorneyatthejuvenilecourt.(SharonSv.SuperiorCourt(2003)31Cal.4th   417,424,fn.4;InreEileenA.(2000)84Cal.App.4th1248,1262&fn.13,disapproved   onothergroundsin#!#_In_Ԁre_Zeth_ԀS.(2003)31Cal.4th396,!413414.)     MinorsguardianadlitemshouldbeindependentoftheotherpartieswiththelegalknowledgeandexperienceofminorsattorneyortrainedCASAworker.Itsrole _operate[s_]outsidetheadversarialrolesofotherpartiesand_act[s_]asanadvocatewhosedutiesincludeinvestigation,presentationofbothfactsandavailableoptionsfordisposition,andoverallprotectionofthechildsinterests/(InreCharlesT.(2002)102  Cal.App.4th869,877.)#!\##XUdX!#!XXUd!%  MINORS%~:    Minorstrialcounselrepresentshisbestinterests.(Inre_Celine_ԀR.(2003)31  Cal.4th45,60.) Theroleofcounselforthechildisnotmerelytoactasamouthpiecefortheminorchild.Butneitheriscounseltoactasamouthpieceforthegovernmentagencyconcerned.Thewholepurposebehindsection237.5istoprovideindependentcounsel,whennecessary,fortheprotectionoftheminorsinterests.Wesuggest,atabareminimum,counselfortheminorshouldthoroughlyreviewtherecord,interviewthechildwhenappropriate,considersuchfactorsashealthandage,andconsidersometypeofcontactwiththechildsfosterandnaturalparentsinordertomakeaninformedjudgmentonbehalfofhisclient.Independentmedicalandpsychologicalassessmentmightbenecessaryinappropriatecases.Onlybysuchendeavorcanthecourtbeassuredthatcounselfortheminoristrulyindependentandisinformedenoughtorepresentthechildsbestinterest.(InreDavidC.(1984)152Cal.App.3d1189,1208;accord,Inre ! AlexisW.(1999)71#!Z#!#X0EX;#XX0ECal.App.4th#!##XUdX!˴#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ28,36;InreCandidaS.(1992)7#!;#!#X0EXZ#XX0ECal.App.4th#!ŵ##XUdX!#!XXUd!Ԁ1240, " 1253;InreRichardH.(1991)234#!#!#X0EXw#XX0ECal.App.3d#!##XUdX!]#X0EXXXUdXX0EԀ1351,1368.) #   MustappointcounselforchildifchildsinterestsmayconflictwithCPSs(Inre %!! MaryC.(1995)41Cal.App.4th71;InreMarioC.(1990)226Cal.App.3d599,606;In &"" reRichardE.(1978)21Cal.3d349,353354;seeInreJesseC.(1999)71Cal.App.4th '## 1481;butseeInreElizabethM.(1991)232Cal.App.3d553.)Generally,CPSshall ($$ representtheinterestsofminorsindependencyproceedings.#!̷#!#X0EX#XX0E(_Welf_.&Inst.Code,#X0EX##XUdXXX0E_#X0EXXXUdXX0E )%% 280.) +''   Mustappointseparatecounselforminorwhoseinterestsconflictwithasiblings.(Carrollv.SuperiorCourt(SanDiegoHealthandHumanServicesAgency)(2002)101  Cal.App.4th1423,1431;MarriageofHeath(2004)124Cal.App.4th444,#AD2#DA#X0 XDQ#DXX0 452[when  minorsmightbeseparatedfromeachother].) [_A]n_Ԁattorney[fortheminor]maynotrepresentmultipleclientsifanactualconflictofinterestbetweenclientsexistsandmaynotapproverepresentationofmultipleclientsifthereisareasonablelikelihoodanactualconflictofinterestmayarise.(Inre_Celine_ԀR.(2003)31Cal.4th45,58.)Thecourt   neednotappointnewcounselifitwouldcausedelayandtheinterestsareadequatelyprotected.(Id.,atpp.6061.) aconflictariseswhereminorscounselseeksacourse   ofactionforonechildwithadverseconsequencestoanother.(#ADߺ#InreBarbaraR.(2006)   137Cal.App.4th941,DA#X0 XD!#DXX0 953.)(InrePaulW.(2007)151#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Cal.App.4th#ADW##Xu)XA#AXXu)DAԀ37,#X0 XD #DXX0 #AD(#DA55.)     Therewasnotaconflictofinterest,thoughthesiblingswishesdiffered,whentheircounselattorneyindependentlydecidedtheirbestinterestswerethesameplan.(Inre_Zamer_   G.(2007)153#AD#DA#X0 XDo#DXX0 Cal.App.4th#AD/##Xu)XAq#X0 XXXu)DXX0 Ԁ1253,12701271.)Buttherewasaconvlidflictofinterestwhen  acounselneededtoimpeachonesiblingtofurthertheinterestsoftheother.#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 (Id.atpp.#ADQ##Xu)XA#X0 XXXu)DXX0 \\id  _12721273.?)_  WelfareandInstitutionsCodesection317appliesonlytothejuvenilecourt.Thecourthasnoobligationtoappointcounselfortheminoronappeal.#AD #(Inre_Zeth_ԀS.(2003)  31Cal.4th396,409,414415.)DA    Appellatecounselfortheminorcouldasktodismisstheappealifsuchadecisionisapprovedbytheminorsguardianadlitem,whichiseithertrialcounselor,ifnone,theCASAworker.(InreJosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#AD#DA#X0 XD(#DXX0 Ԁ687688.)Appellatecounselcan  seekfundsforinvestigation,includingseeingtheminor,ifthereisgoodcause.(Inre  JosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#ADC#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Ԁ684.)  #AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 #AD0#DA  Theminormusthaveaguardianadlitem,eithertrialcounselor,ifnone,the  CASAworker.#AD#DA#X0 XDr#DXX0 (_Welf_.&Inst.Code,#X0 XD##Xu)XXX0 t#X0 XXXu)DXX0 Ԁ326.5;#ADT#DA#X0 XDs#DXX0 Cal.RulesofCourt,rule#X0 XD##Xu)XXX0 #AXXu)DAԀ1438;#AD##Xu)XA}#X0 XXXu)DXX0 Inre   JosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#X0 XD'#DXX0 #AD#DAԀ679680;SanDiegoDept.ofSocialServ.v.Superior ! Court(MiguelS.)(2005)137Cal.App.4th761,768#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Ԁ[the_CAPTA_Ԁperson(GALor " minorscounsel)istheminorsguardianadliteminallotherproceedingsunder#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Cal. # RulesofCourt,rule#AD##Xu)XA #AXXu)DAԀ1448(b)];InreChristopherI.(2003)106Cal.App.4th433,558[ If $  anattorneyisappointedtorepresenttheminorsinterests,thejuvenilecourtneednotappointaseparateguardianadlitem.];see42#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 U.S.C.#AD##Xu)XAF#X0 XXXu)DXX0 Ԁ5106a(b)(2)(A)(xiii);45_C.F.R._ &"" 1340.14(g)#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 .)TheminorstrialcounselorCASAworkercontinuestobetheguardian '## adlitemonappeal.(InreJosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Ԁ680,681.) ($$   #AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0  [CodeofCivilProcedure][_s]ection_#ADY##Xu)XA#AXXu)DAԀ372representsarecognitionbythe )%% Legislaturethatwheneveraminorisinvolvedinlitigation,hisinterestscannotbeprotectedunlessaguardianadlitemorasimilarrepresentativeactsforhim.The +'' guardianadlitemisanofficerofthecourt,andhehastherighttocontrolthelawsuiton_theminorsbehalf.Amonghispowersaretherighttocompromiseorsettletheaction[citation],tocontroltheproceduralstepsincidenttotheconductofthelitigation_[citation],and,withtheapprovalofthecourt,tomakestipulationsorconcessionsthatarebindingontheminor,providedtheyarenotprejudicialtothelattersinterests[citation].(DeLosSantosv.SuperiorCourt(1980)27Cal.3d677,683684.)Acivil  guardianadlitemsroleismorethananattorneysbutlessthanapartys,inthataguardianoverseesanyattorneyrepresentingtheminorslitigationrelatedinterestsandmaymaketacticalandevenfundamentaldecisionsaffectingthelitigation,butalwayswiththeinterestoftheminorinmind.(CountyofLosAngelesv.SuperiorCourt(2001)  91Cal.App.4th1303,1311,italicsomitted.)(InreJosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,  #AD#DA#X0 XDt#DXX0 678;accord,InreJosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#AD#DA#X0 XD2#DXX0 InreChristinaB.(1993)19   Cal.App.4th1441,1454.) Atsomepoint,notwithstandingtheirlegalincompetence,childrenbecomecapableofgivinginformedconsenttokeydecisionsaffectingtheircircumstances.(InreJosiahZ.(2005)36Cal.4th664,#AD#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 Ԁ682,fn.8.)     TherequirementforguardianadlitemforminorsstartingJuly1,2001doesnotapplytocasesstartedbeforethen.(InreS.D.(2002)102Cal.App.4th560,564.)     Evenifminorscounseldoesnothaveaconflictofinterest,aCASAworkershouldbeappointedinordertopursueissuesbeyondappointedcounselsscope,suchaspursuingacivilsuit.(SanDiegoDept.ofSocialServ.v.SuperiorCourt(MiguelS.)  (2005)137Cal.App.4th761,768#X0 XD#DXX0 #ADU#DAԄ769.)    Waiver:Parentwaivesnoguardianadlitemfortheminorbynotraisingitinthejuvenilecourt.(InreCharlesT.(2002)102Cal.App.4th869,873.)    Standing:Parenthasstandingtoraiseineffectiveassistanceofminorsattorney.(Inre_Cliffton_ԀB.(2000)81Cal.App.4th415,428[attorneyhadconflictofinterestwhen  siblingshaddifferentpermanentplans];InreCandidaS.(1992)7Cal.App.4th1240,  1252;InreCrystalJ.(1993)12Cal.App.4th407,414[alsoparentscounseldidnot  object];InreJamesS.(1991)227Cal.App.3d930,933,fn.6;seeInreElizabethM.  (1991)232Cal.App.3d553,565568;InrePatriciaE.(1985)174Cal.App.3d1,45;  butseeInreFrankL.(2000)81Cal.App.4th700,704;InreAlexisW.(1999)71  Cal.App.4th28,3637[mustshowhowparentprejudicedbyminorscounselsineffectiveness];Inre_Nachelle_ԀS.(1996)41Cal.App.4th1557,1560;InreAnnS.   (1982)137Cal.App.3d148,150.)   Standing:Aparenthasstandingtocomplinofnoguardianadlitemfortheminor.(InreCharlesT.(2002)102Cal.App.4th869,873;butseeInreValerieA.(2007)152 $  #X0 XD#DXX0 Cal.App.4th#X0 XD#DXX0 Ԁ987,#ADT#DA#X0 XD#DXX0 1000.) %!!   Standardofreview:Whethertoappointattorneyforminorreviewedforabuseofdiscretion.(InreRichardH.(1991)234Cal.App.3d1351.) ($$   Prejudice:UsetheWatsontest.(Inre_Celine_ԀR.(2003)31Cal.4th45,59.) *&& Prejudicefromaconflictofinterestonlyifreversalwouldhavebeenrequiredhadno +'' attorneybeenappointed.(Inre_Celine_ԀR.(2003)31Cal.4th45,5960[anyerror '## harmlessbecausenewcounselwouldhavealsosupportedadoption].)Errorinnotappointingindependentcounselfortheminorrequiresreversalonlyifitresultsinamiscarriageofjustice.(InreRichardE.(1978)21Cal.3d349,355.) *&&  +'' #A##X5-XA;#