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CHILDREN AND THE COURTS

NCJ Number
65405
Author(s)
R SMITH
Date Published
1979
Length
235 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDEBOOK ON THE TECHNICALITIES OF BRITISH LAW AND COURT PROCEDURES RELATING TO CHILDREN IS INTENDED TO AID LAYMEN AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS DEALING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE LEGAL PROBLEMS.
Abstract
COURTS NOW DEAL WITH GROWING NUMBERS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE ACCUSED OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES, IN CARE AFTER PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE COURTS, OR THE SUBJECTS OF APPLICATIONS IN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS. NEW COURTS, PROCEDURES, AND LAWS HAVE BEEN DEVISED TO DEAL WITH SUCH MINORS AND THE CHANGES IN SOCIETY WHICH THEY REPRESENT. THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED HERE, WITH EMPHASIS ON JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES, RULES OF EVIDENCE, AND CONTEXTS IN WHICH LAYPERSONS MIGHT EXPERIENCE PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT, SUCH AS WITNESS TESTIMONY. GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED ON HOW TO FIND A LAWYER, HOW TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PAY FOR LEGAL SERVICES, AND HOW TO ADVISE CHILDREN TURNING TO SOCIAL WORKERS FOR IMMEDIATE HELP IN MATTERS INVOLVING THE LAW. MOREOVER, THE LEGAL POSITION OF A JUVENILE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE POLICE IS EXPLAINED, AND FURTHER CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO SENTENCING PRACTICES, FINES, ATTENDANCE AND DETENTION CENTERS, BORSTALS, AND DEFERRED SENTENCING. IN ADDTION, LAWS AND PROCEEDINGS ARE EXPLAINED WHICH MIGHT DIRECTLY INVOLVE SOCIAL WORKERS, SUCH AS CARE LEGISLATION, ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS, AND THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO COURT REPORTS WHICH A SOCIAL WORKER OR A PROBATION OFFICER MIGHT BE CALLED UPON TO PRODUCE. DIVORCE, GUARDIANSHIP, NONMATRIMONIAL AND DOMESTIC CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. TABLES OF CASES, TABLES OF STATUTES, REFERENCES, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)