
Juvenile Court Referee Peter S. Helfer's job is to determine the best interests of children when parents endanger their welfare.
Helfer, 48, a juvenile dependency referee in Sacramento Superior Court, takes it very seriously.
"You are dealing with children and family lives," Helfer said. "Every case, to me, has equal importance.
"If the court takes jurisdiction over the welfare of a child, a parent faces the possibility of l... (continued)