Whether a parent has a constitutional right to a jury trial in a child custody proceeding initiated by the state

QUESTIONS PRESENTED This Petition for Writ of Certiorari (Petition) originates from child custody proceedings initiated by Respondent the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) against Petitioner Eric E. (Father), a career military veteran and father of his son Adam E., who was 16 years old at the time. After a Court trial, custody was awarded to Adam E.’s mother over the objection of Father, who had asserted (among other contentions) his California and Federal Constitutional right to ajury trial of the factual allegations against him. The California Court of Appeal dismissed Father’s appeal as moot in light of the age of Adam E., who was approaching adulthood while the appeal was pending.