Matters in Juvenile Court can have very serious consequences, often putting the custody of your children or even your rights and status as their parent at risk. Juvenile Court is unique from other criminal or civil matters, however. In most cases the goal set by the court is one of rehabilitation and reunification between parents and children. It is crucial that you have an attorney who is familiar with the unique procedures and rules of Juvenile Court that can help you pick your battles and ensure you come out the other side reunified with your child and with your parental rights intact.
Most Juvenile Court cases are initiated by the state. If the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) has a case where they feel there is a serious risk of ongoing harm to a child, they can ask the court to either grant Protective Supervisory Services (PSS), which allows them to monitor you and your children more closely and freely, or they may ask for temporary custody of your child. Any time the state takes custody of a child under the Juvenile Code, there is a limited timeframe in which parents can regain custody before their rights are terminated. It is important to proceed and be mindful of both your rights under the law and the risks you are facing.
You might also be facing a private petition to terminate your parental rights. While different from the state potentially taking away your children, these actions have the same risk of losing your rights as a parent, and you are often facing someone who is less inclined to want to see you fix any underlying problems you might have as a parent. It is important that you deal with any action that has the potential to terminate your rights as a parent swiftly and decisively. Even though being in his situation can be disheartening, there are things you can do from the beginning and throughout the process that will make things go more smoothly and help you get the Juvenile Court out of your life for good. Make sure you find an attorney who is familiar with all aspects of the process. Having the right attorney will save you a lot of time, money and possibly your future with your child.