Team Recommendations and the Courts (From The New Child Protection Team Handbook, P 385-395, 1988, Donald C Bross, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-115142)

• NCJ Number: 115153
• Author(s): D U Wakefield; J L Lawritson
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In discussing child protection team recommendations and the courts, this paper addresses types of legal proceedings, dependency and neglect procedures, and information common to civil and criminal proceedings.

Abstract

The majority of court orders affecting children are issued in criminal, domestic relations, or dependency and neglect cases. This paper first reviews issues and court proceedings in criminal cases involving wrongs against children, in divorce cases, and in cases involving dependency and neglect. It then considers information common to civil and criminal proceedings. The cardinal rule noted for teams when communicating with the court in both civil and criminal proceedings is to share all relevant information. A table outlines the minimal information that should be given the court. Information specific to different types of legal proceedings is also outlined. Additional issues discussed are team minority reports and the presence of attorneys at team staff meetings. The paper advises that team documents and procedures should reflect the possibility of courtroom presentation. Team reports should be objective, detailed, and relevant to the legal issues to be determined. 4 references, 2 tables.