People Involved In Juvenile Dependency Court

By Cornelia White


Until a child grows up, he or she is dependent on adults and needs their protection. A juvenile dependency case is where a child has come to court because a guardian has hurt or not taken care of them. Before the commencement of the case, the first thing that the court does is to make sure that the child has been transferred from the environment where they have been abused or neglected.

During investigation the basic reasons that can make a minor to become dependent have to be determined for a case to be filed on behalf of the child. Some of the major reasons that make a case to be filed are when a child is sexually abused by his parents or the parents do not protect him from sexual abuse. Another situation is emotional damage caused by depression or severe anxiety as a result of the parent behavior towards the child.

Juvenile cases are filed under certain scenarios. For example, when a child becomes sick or may suffer physical injuries due to the negligence of the parent. Another scenario is when a child is not provided with basic needs due to the parent indulging in drug abuse. Another example of a dependent minor is where his or her guardian left him or her due to imprisonment.

After the commencement of the court process, the child is put under foster care family. Usually, parents want to have their child to live with them. Social workers and the judge work together with the parents to make sure that their home is safe and healthy for the child. If they succeed, then the child is reunited with the parents. If not, then the judge and others look for another home where the child can live safely for a longtime.

The various people who are involved in these cases are the social worker, the judge, the lawyer and in some cases a court appointed special advocate will be involved. The work of a judge in this court is to give the final ruling on what to be done after all the investigations have been done and evidence tabled. He understands what the law requires in such a situation.

The lawyer represents and speaks on the behalf of the parents, social worker or the child. It is the work of the attorney to collect all the information that is required for the case to progress as it should. Since he or she has a full understanding of the law, they explain every intricacy of this law to their clients.

The work of the social worker is to protect the child and keep them safe. He or she comes in situations where the child has been neglected or abused. He or she helps in finding the right place for child, a permanent plan. He or she may have to appear in the court together with the family so that with his help, the judge can decide how to help the child and the family.

The last and most important person in a juvenile dependency court is the child. He is the witness and the lawyer asks him questions which he is required to answer truthfully but if he does not understand he has the right to be assisted. He can be taken to the judges office to answer the questions or the court appointed special advocate to sit with him in the court so he can be comfortable.




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