County of Mendocino v. TED S.

Appellant Ted S. appeals from an amended default judgment which declared him to be the natural father of Theodore S., a minor, and ordered him both to pay child support and to reimburse the County of Mendocino (the County) for public assistance previously provided to the minor. Among other arguments, appellant contends that reversal is required because the record includes no waiver of his right to counsel. We affirm the judgment.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

On June 8, 1987, a complaint was filed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code sections 11350 and 11350.1 alleging that appellant was the father of Theodore S., a minor born in May 1984, that appellant had failed to support his child, and that the County had furnished public assistance for the child for over three years. The complaint sought reimbursement for the public assistance, a child support order, and other related relief.

Included in the complaint was the following notice, in capital letters: “You Have Been Sued for Child Support. You Have a Right to Be Represented by an Attorney. If You Are Financially Unable to Pay for an Attorney, You Have a Right to Request the Court to Appoint One to…