NCJ Number
59512
Date Published
1977
Length
195 pages
Annotation
THIS 1977 ANNUAL REPORT OF PENNSYLVANIA'S FAMILY COURT DIVISION COVERS THE JUVENILE, DOMESTIC RELATIONS, WOMEN'S, DIVORCE AND ANNULMENTS, ADOPTION, AND MEDICAL BRANCHES OF THAT COURT.
Abstract
THE FAMILY DIVISION IS A FULLY INTEGRATED COURT, TREATING THE FAMILY AND ITS PROBLEMS AS A UNIT, AND FOSTERING ITS PRESERVATION. STAFF TRAINING, IN 1977 FOCUSED ON PROBATION OFFICER CONCERNS. THE JUVENILE BRANCH, HAVING JURISDICTION IN ALL JUVENILE DEPENDENCY AND DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS, REGARDS THE CHILD'S WELFARE, RATHER THAN PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDERS, AS ITS HIGHEST PRIORITY. COURT-INVOLVED JUVENILES ARE TREATED IN AN INFORMAL SETTING, SEPARATED FROM ADULTS, AND RECEIVE SPECIAL SERVICES. THE BRANCH INCLUDES JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURE, HEARINGS, COURT ORDERS OF DISPOSITION, CASE STATISTICS, AND OTHER JUVENILE DELINQUENCY STATISTICS FOR PENNSYLVANIA, CASES REFERRED TO CRIMINAL COURTS, AND CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS BRANCH ENCOMPASSES VARIOUS KINDS OF FAMILY DISCORD INCLUDING CHILD CUSTODY AND SUPPORT IN DIVORCE CASES, COURT PROCEDURE, PETITIONS FILED, SUPPORT ORDERS, CASE STATISTICS, AND OTHERS. THE WOMEN'S BRANCH ESTABLISHES PATERNITY AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN BORN OUT OF LAWFUL WEDLOCK. A DISCUSSION OF THE DIVORCE AND ANNULMENT BRANCH IS ALSO INCLUDED AND COVERS 1977 PROCEEDINGS AND STATISTICS. FINALLY, THE FAMILY COURT HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION IN ADOPTIONS AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS ABOUT COURT CLIENTS. FOOTNOTES AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED.