NCJ Number
54330
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM IN NEW YORK STATE IS THE FOCUS OF THIS MONITORING HANDBOOK THAT DESCRIBES PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS.
Abstract
THE FAMILY COURT ACT IN NEW YORK WAS ENACTED IN 1962 AS PART OF A REVISION TO THE STATE COURT STRUCTURE. THIS COURT DEALS WITH THE PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. IT MAY DECIDE WHETHER AN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE PARENTAL HOME AND BE PLACED IN FOSTER CARE, WHETHER A YOUTH WHO IS OUT OF CONTROL SHOULD BE SENT TO AN INSTITUTION, AND WHETHER A PARENT SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE HOME TO PROTECT FAMILY MEMBERS. THE COURT ALSO HAS JURISDICTION OVER SEVERAL OTHER MATTERS, INCLUDING THE CUSTODY OF CHILDREN, THE FAILURE OF INDIVIDUALS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE DETERMINATION OF PATERNITY. RESEARCH GOALS OF THE FAMILY COURT MONITORING PROGRAM, SPONSORED BY THE FUND FOR MODERN COURTS, INC., AND FUNDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, ARE TO COLLECT AND EVALUATE DATA AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPGRADING THE COURT SYSTEM, AND TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT THE FAMILY COURT IN THEIR LOCAL AREAS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO EFFECT IMPROVEMENTS IN PHYSICAL CONDITIONS, THE INCIDENCE OF ADJOURNMENT AND DELAY, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, AND THE TREATMENT OF PERSONS IN THE COURT. THE HANDBOOK'S SUBSTANTIVE SECTIONS ADDRESS PROCEDURES WITHIN THE FAMILY COURT FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND PERSONS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (PINS) CASES (POLICE CUSTODY AND FAMILY COURT REFERRAL), STANDARDS AND GOALS PERTINENT TO ADJUSTMENT AT PROBATION INTAKE AND FACT FINDING, PROVISIONS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM ACT, OTHER PROCEDURES WITHIN THE FAMILY COURT (SUPPORT, PATERNITY, FAMILY OFFENSES, CHILD PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS, GUARDIANSHIP, CUSTODY, VOLUNTARY PLACEMENTS, AND FOSTER CARE REVIEW), RIGHTS OF JUVENILES, LEGAL REPRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND POSITIONS AND PERSONNEL IN THE FAMILY COURT OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY. A GLOSSARY IS PROVIDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN NEW YORK AND RELATED INFORMATION, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONITORS. (DEP)