Book One contains seven chapters that pertain to the defining of child maltreatment. A chapter is devoted to definitions of each of the following types of maltreatment: physical abuse and the privilege to discipline, neglect, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, medical neglect and maximum duties, and jurisdiction over the fetus. Book Two contains 14 chapters on legal interventions for child maltreatment. Five chapters pertain to reporting, investigation, and emergency seizures. Four chapters focus on topics regarding proof of maltreatment and the adjudicatory hearing. Topics addressed include difficulties in proving maltreatment, enabling a child to testify in court and out of court, the social service report, circumstantial evidence, expert testimony, and abrogating privileges. Four chapters address the dispositional phase and the parens patriae power of the court. Among the topics discussed are permanency planning and long-term placements, the termination of parental rights, and family planning and family rehabilitation. A chapter on representing children discusses the decision to provide counsel to parents, representation for the child, the objectives of an attorney's representation of a minor, issues arising from an attorney's conflicting roles, and the duty of competent representation. A table of cases and a subject index