All You Need Know About The Juvenile Dependency Case

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.

If parents cannot or will not take care of their child properly, then this court steps in and the child may become dependent on the court for safeguarding. What normally happens is that during the investigation, basic reasons for a minor to become dependent are determined and the case is then filed on behalf of the child. There are many reasons that can make a child become dependent and they include sexual abuse by his or her parents, severe depression damages resulting from the parents behavior toward the child among others.

A minor who becomes sick or suffers physical injury due to lack of proper supervision by his parents or failure of parents to properly provide him with basic needs is categorized as a dependent minor. Parents who are involved in substance abuse that makes them unable to care for their children are at risk of losing custody of their child. A minor who has been left by his parent due to imprisonment is also termed as a dependent minor.

Once the child has been declared dependent, the court may rule an order to have the child transferred to live with another relatives or family for a while. This is called a foster care. As much as the parents want to stay with their child, they have to prove to the judge and social workers that they are able to provide a healthy and safe environment to the child. If not, the judge and the social worker come up with a permanent plan for the child.

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 work of a lawyer or an attorney in this court is to represent their clients who could be a social worker, dependent minor, or the parents. The lawyer normally speaks for his or her client. He or she plays a major role in the investigation, he is able to lure people into providing information that can help in the case.

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 child is last and the most important person in a juvenile dependency court. He or she is the chief witness in the court. His or her work is to answer all questions pertaining to the case. He or she has the right to be assisted if questions are too hard for him or her.




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