4.2 Roles and Responsibilities of Juvenile or Family Courts

Juvenile and family courts:

Assure that the legal and constitutional rights of both parents and children are considered and protected;
Are presided over by a judge or commissioner who has received specialized training in child welfare and juvenile matters and is specially assigned to hear such cases regularly;
Appoint specially trained Guardians ad Litem and/or court-appointed special advocates (CASA) to represent the best interests of the child;
Appoint an attorney for the parents, if they are unable to afford one;
Coordinate the court proceeding with those in other courts that involve the child who is under the jurisdiction of the court and minimize the trauma to a child who is involved in multiple court actions; and
Expedite custody and termination of parental rights hearings, where indicated, so that the child can gain permanency.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)