Child Custody And Juvenile Court Jurisdiction
About
About Child Custody And Juvenile Court Jurisdiction
The goal of the Louisiana juvenile court system in child custody cases is to protect the best interests of the child and ensure that they are in a safe and stable living environment.
The juvenile court system has authority over cases involving juveniles who are under the age of 18 and who are accused of committing delinquent acts or status offenses. Delinquent acts are offenses that would be considered crimes if committed by an adult, such as theft, assault, or drug offenses. Status offenses are acts that are only considered offenses because of the age of the offender, such as truancy or running away from home.
In addition to delinquent acts and status offenses, the juvenile court system also has jurisdiction over cases involving juveniles who are in need of care or protection due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment by their parents or legal guardians. These cases can include child custody, foster care, and other forms of child welfare. Overall, the juvenile court system has authority over cases involving juveniles who are in need of protection or intervention due to their behavior or their family situation.
In some cases, the juvenile court system may be involved in the adoption process. This may happen when the child is in the custody of the state or if there are other issues that need to get addressed before the adoption can get finalized.
What You Need To Know
The juvenile court system is responsible for ensuring that the best interests of the child are protected in cases involving custody, abuse, neglect, and other issues related to children. Here is a list of some of the types of child custody issues that may be handled by the juvenile court system:
- Child custody disputes between parents: The juvenile court may be called upon to resolve disputes between parents over issues such as legal custody, physical custody, and visitation.
- Custody disputes involving non-parents: The juvenile court may also be involved in custody disputes between a child's parents and non-parents, such as grandparents or other relatives, who are seeking custody of the child.
- Child abuse and neglect: The juvenile court may be involved in cases where a child is at risk of harm due to abuse or neglect by their parents or legal guardians.
- Foster care: The juvenile court may be responsible for placing children in foster care when they are removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other issues.
- Termination of parental rights: The juvenile court may be involved in cases where the parental rights of a child's biological parents are terminated, either to free the child for adoption or for other reasons.
- Child support: The juvenile court may be responsible for enforcing child support orders and ensuring that parents meet their financial obligations to their children.
If you are involved in a child custody or related case, you may be wondering if your case is being handled by the juvenile court system. Here are a few ways to determine whether your case is being handled in juvenile court:
- Check the court documents: The court documents will typically indicate which court is handling the case. Look for the name of the court on any paperwork you have received, such as a summons, complaint, or notice of hearing.
- Contact the court clerk: If you are unsure which court is handling your case, you can contact the court clerk for more information. The court clerk can tell you which court is handling the case and provide you with the contact information for the court.
- Ask an attorney: If you have an attorney representing you in the case, they will be able to tell you which court is handling the case and provide you with information about the juvenile court system if necessary.