Preliminary provisions

(a) Application of rules (§§ 200-945)

The rules in this division solely apply to every action and proceeding to which the juvenile court law (Welf. & Inst. Code, div. 2, pt. 1, ch. 2, § 200 et seq.) applies, unless they are explicitly made applicable in any other action or proceeding. The rules in this division do not apply to an action or proceeding heard by a traffic hearing officer, nor to a rehearing or appeal from a denial of a rehearing following an order by a traffic hearing officer.

(b) Authority for and purpose of rules (Cal. Const., art. VI, §§ 6, 265)

The Judicial Council adopted the rules in this division under its constitutional and statutory authority to adopt rules for court administration, practice, and procedure that are not inconsistent with statute. These rules implement the purposes of the juvenile court law by promoting uniformity in practice and procedure and by providing guidance to judicial officers, attorneys, social workers, probation officers, and others participating in the juvenile court.

(c) Rules of construction

Unless the context otherwise requires, these preliminary provisions and the following rules of construction govern the construction of these rules:

(1) Insofar as these rules are substantially the same as existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter, these rules must be construed as restatements of those statutes; and

(2) Insofar as these rules may add to existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter, these rules must be construed so as to implement the purposes of the juvenile court law.

(d) Severability clause

If a rule or a subdivision of a rule in this division is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a rule or a subdivision of a rule in this division is invalid in one or more of its applications, the rule or subdivision remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications.