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Cases in the juvenile courts involve minors and those who have the power to make decisions for them. There are four main categories of cases in the juvenile court. They are delinquency cases, dependency cases, guardianships, and adoptions. Steven Czop represents clients in all of these areas.
The main key in any type of juvenile court case to consider what is in the best interest of the child. When hiring an attorney in any juvenile court case it is important to hire an attorney who routinely practices in this area and knows the special aspects of representing parties in the juvenile court.
Delinquency refers to a criminal act committed by a minor. The goal of the delinquency court is for rehabilitation of the minor. I have been a prosecutor in the juvenile court as well as represented children as a guardian ad litem, or attorney who looks out for the best interest of a minor.
A dependency case is a matter filed by either Child Protective Services or a private party such as a grandparent alleging that a parent cannot take care of his or her child. Dependency is a process completely different than any other type of legal matter. I represent both parents and parties who petition the court because they believe a parent cannot discharge his or her parental duties.
Adoptions occur when biological parent's rights have been severed (or they consent) to another person or couple becoming the legal parents of the child. Critical to an adoption case is that the biological parents' rights must be severed or they must consent to the adoption.
When there is no one to take care of a minor, an interested person can petition the court to become that minor's guardian. The biological parents of the minor must consent to the guardianship. Guardianships can also be put into place ifthe biological parents of the minor cannot be found.
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