Adjudication
Like a trial; the hearing in which a judge listens to testimony and declares if the alleged charges are true.
Affidavit
Written statement of facts; the person who signs the affidavit swears an oath that the information given is true.
Allegation
A charge or claim made against someone.
Appeal
A complaint to a higher court asking to overturn the decision made by a lower court.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
A specially trained community member who is selected by the judge to advocate for the best interests of the child.
Case Plan
The list of steps that all parties must take before a child returns to the parents home; it is very important that parents follow the case plan and complete every requirement of the plan; case plans are reviewed at least every 6 months.
Case Manager
The person employed by DFACS to monitor the progress that a family is making on their case plan; the case manager can assist in providing services to the family and arranging visitation with the children.
Child Abuse
When a parent or caretaker intentionally injures a child; when a parent or caretaker intentionally neglects or exploits a child; any sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.
Child Advocate
Attorney assigned by the judge to represent the best interests of a child; the child advocate does not work for DFACS or for either parent of the child.
Child In Need of Services (CHINS)
I. Under the age of 18; and
II. Needs care, guidance, counseling structure, supervision, treatment, or rehabilitation; and
III. Is found by the Court to have been one or more of the following:
A. Required by compulsory school attendance laws to attend school but is habitually and without sufficient cause truant having ten (10) or more days of unexcused absences in the current academic year;
Truancy 15-11-2(11)(A)(i)
B. Habitually disobedient of the reasonable and lawful commands of his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian and is ungovernable or has placed himself, herself, or others in unsafe circumstances;
Unruly; Ungovernable 15-11-2(11)(A)(ii)
C. A runaway and has without just cause and without the consent of his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian been absent from his or her home for at least 24 hours;
Runaway 15-11-2(11)(A)(iii)
D. Committed an offense that is only applicable to a child and would not be an offense if committed by an adult.
15-11-2(11)(A)(iv)
E. Wanders or loiters about the streets of any city or in or about any public highway or public place between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM;
Curfew violation 15-11-2(11)(A)(v)
F. Disobeyed the terms of supervision contained in a Court order which has been directed to such child who has been adjudicated a Child in Need of Services;
Violation of Probation (VOP) on a CHINS case 15-11-2(11)(A)(vi)
G. Patronizes any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold, unaccompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, or who possesses alcoholic beverages;
Actions surrounding alcoholic beverages 15-11-2(11)(A)(vii)
H. Committed a delinquent act and is adjudicated to be in need of supervision but not in need of treatment or rehabilitation.
15-11-2(11)(B)
Complaint
A formal charge or allegation made against another person.
CPS (Child Protective Services)
The section of DFACS that responds to initial complaints of possible abuse of deprivation.
Custodian
Person who has been given physical custody of a child and is required to provide for that child's needs and safety.
Delinquency
Juvenile actions or conduct in violation of criminal law.
Delinquent
Juvenile who has been adjudicated by a judicial officer of a juvenile court as having committed a delinquent act.
Deprived Child
(1) A child who is not receiving proper parental care; this includes a child who is not getting proper food, is not going to school, or is not receiving proper medical care;
(2) A child who has been illegally adopted;
(3) A child who has been abandoned;
(4) A child who does not have a parent or guardian.
DFACS (Division of Family And Children Services)
A state agency under the Department of Human Resources that provides child protection services and case management services families.
Disposition
Hearing after the adjudication to determine where a child will live while the parents complete the case plan.
Foster Care
State licensed temporary home, group home or shelter where a child may stay during court proceedings and while the parents work on the terms of the case plan.
Guardian
Person, other than the parent, who has legal responsibility for a child.
Hearing
A trail or proceeding before a judge.
Jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear a case.
Legal Father
A man who has a legal right to be included in the upbringing and care of a child;
a legal father is one of the following:
(1) A man who is married to the mother at the time a child was conceived or born;
(2) A man who is not married to the mother, but acknowledges paternity and legitimates the child through a court action; or administratively at the hospital.
(3) A biological father who acknowledges paternity and marries the mother.
Note: Naming a man as the biological father on a birth certificate, merely determining paternity through a blood test or ordering him to pay child support does not necessarily make him a legal father.
Legitimation
The process in which a man acknowledges paternity and establishes a legal father-child relationship.
Mandated Reporter
A person required by law to report suspicion of a child abuse; this includes doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, childcare providers, and others.
Mediation
Alternative to court proceeding where families try to reach solution on their own; an impartial mediator leads the session and helps the parties come to an agreement among themselves rather than having a judge decide.
Non-Reunification
A plan in which custody will not go back to the parents; in some cases, non-reunification plans may precede a termination of parental rights action.
Party
Either the petitioner or the respondent in a lawsuit. The parties to a deprivation case are DFACS, parents and the child advocate.
Permanency Hearing
A hearing after the disposition to determine what the permanent plan for the child is going to be; Federal law says this hearing must take place no later than 1 YEAR after the day a child is taken into custody.
Petition
A legal document that states the reasons the court should get involved in a matter and asks the court to take a certain action.
Petitioner
Party that is making the claim of abuse or deprivation against the parents.
Putative Father
Man who is alleged to be the biological father of a child; putative fathers have no legal rights to the child, but can establish those rights by legitimating the child.
Respondent
Person against whom allegations or charges are brought.
SAAG (Special Assistant Attorney General)
the lawyer who represents DFACS.
Subpoena
A legal document requiring a person to come to court; if you get a subpoena, you must come to court.
Summons
A legal document notifying you of a court case and telling you when to come to court.
TPR (Termination of Parental Rights)
Legal and permanent severance of the parent-child relationship; if parental rights are terminated, the child may become eligible for adoption.