In re Rikki D

In In re Rikki D. (1991) 227 Cal. App. 3d 1624, an action to terminate parental rights under former section 232 of the Civil Code, the court concluded " Penal Code section 2625 does not bar commencement of a proceeding to terminate parental rights where a prisoner is represented in court by counsel." In re Rikki D., 227 Cal. App. 3d at p. 1631. The court supported its conclusion with authorities showing "the word 'or' ordinarily means 'an alternative such as 'either this or that . . .''" and the Legislative Counsel's interpretation of the statute to mean "'no proceeding to . . . adjudicate a child a dependent child may be held without the physical presence of the prisoner or the prisoner's attorney . . . .'" In re Rikki D., 227 Cal. App. 3d at pp. 1629-1630.