Due Process Hearings
A due-process hearing is a formal legal proceeding before an administrative law judge of the California Office of Administrative Hearings. It is the mechanism IDEA provides when parents and a district cannot agree about evaluation, eligibility, placement, or services. The deadlines are short, the evidence is detailed, and the stakes for your child are real.
Indicators
When to call us about this.
- Mediation has not produced a resolution and the matter is moving toward a formal hearing.
- The district has filed a due-process complaint against you and you need representation.
- You are within the IDEA statute of limitations and considering whether to file.
- A prior settlement or IEP is not being implemented and you want to enforce it.
How it works
What the process looks like.
1. Pre-filing assessment
We evaluate whether the case meets IDEA's standards and what relief is realistically available.
2. Filing the complaint
We draft and file the due-process complaint with the California Office of Administrative Hearings.
3. Resolution session and mediation
IDEA requires a resolution session within 15 days. Many cases settle here. Where they do not, mediation often follows.
4. Hearing preparation
Witness preparation, document exhibits, expert reports, and a clear theory of the case.
5. Hearing and decision
We present the case to the administrative law judge and pursue the remedies your child is entitled to under federal law.
Privacy first
Start with basic information.
You do not need to know the legal language before you contact the firm. Tell us what is happening at school, and we can help identify whether the issue belongs with legal representation, advocacy support, or another resource.
Please avoid sending private student details through the form. We can ask for documents and additional information after the first contact.
Contact the firmThink this matches your situation?
Tell us briefly what is happening. We respond within 24 business hours.