NCJ Number
146073
Journal
Juvenile and Family Justice Today Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1993) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has developed a plan to improve the ability of courts to protect children and families that recommends establishing a unified family court in every jurisdiction.
Abstract
Housed in a centrally located family court center, the NCJFCJ proposes that the unified family court be the equal of the highest trial court of general jurisdiction and be staffed by specialist judges and other professionals. The court should manage an array of family cases, including juvenile delinquency, dependency, status offenses, paternity, custody, support, mental health, adoption, family violence, and marital dissolution. Further, the court should serve as the center for coordinating and providing services to children and families in the community and should provide intake, evaluation, and referral to various public and private services. The court should also offer alternative methods of diverting cases through counseling, mediation, and other nonadversarial means. Judges should ensure that children and families receive due process and should be committed to principles of treatment, rehabilitation, family preservation, and community protection. In addition, judges should promote effective working relationships among courts, legislative and executive branches of government, schools, social services, and law enforcement agencies. The need for adequate resources to offer family preservation, health, mental health, educational, and advocacy services and to provide residential and day treatment and secure detention is stressed.