Opinion ID: 2322862
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Dependency and Termination Continuum

Text: In several prior opinions, this Court has discussed the continuum that begins with a dependency and neglect hearing and frequently evolves into and ends with a termination proceeding. [17] We have acknowledged that the factual basis for terminating parental rights is often the conduct that occurs during the time frame between the commencement of a dependency and neglect proceeding and a judicial determination that a termination proceeding is in the child's best interest. [18] Accordingly, in Watson, we recognized that [i]f an attorney is only appointed to represent an indigent parent after the petition to terminate has been filed then the outcome is almost inevitable, assuming the factual allegations in the petition to terminate can be established with credible evidence. [19] Because of this almost inevitable outcome, we held in Watson that both the United States Constitution and the Delaware Constitution required the issue of whether to appoint counsel at State expense must be decided by the trial judge on a case-by-case basis [20] in all dependency and neglect proceedings commenced against an indigent parent. [21]