NCJ Number
178638
Date Published
1996
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This report profiles the provisions of each State's statute pertinent to the existence and functioning of a family court.
Abstract
One table lists the eight States that support statewide systems of a court structure that is labeled "Family Court." The family court jurisdiction for each of the eight States is also indicated in the table (juvenile and domestic relations; juvenile, domestic relations, and parts or all of probate; and juvenile, domestic relations, parts or all of probate, and some adult criminal jurisdiction). A second table lists the 20 States that have a court structure labeled "Family Court" in specific districts/circuits or have statutes that authorize the creation of a structure called "Family Court" in specific jurisdictions. For each of the 20 States, the table indicates whether such a court structure currently exists, is under development or to be developed, experimental sites have been established, is another name for a juvenile court, or is another name for a domestic relations court. The third table lists the 11 States that do not have court systems labeled "Family Courts" but have actively considered in the 1990s problems related to the coordination of family cases and the feasibility of family courts as a solution. The current legislative status is indicated for each State. An outline of State profiles of family court statutes, court rule, and practice analysis forms the core of this report. A statute summary for each State indicates the status of family court, the extent and level of jurisdiction, and the currency of legislation. The intent and function of the family court in each State is summarized under "practice detail."