NCJ Number
59020
Date Published
1978
Length
133 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ABUSED CHILDREN, THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS IN HELPING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND IN WORKING WITH COURTS.
Abstract
SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL INCLUDE DEFINITIONS OF CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND OTHER CATEGORIES OF NEGLECT; LEGAL LIABILITIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS UNDER REPORTING LAWS, INCLUDING AN OVERVIEW OF IMMUNITY AND BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS; THE IMPACT OF FOURTH AND FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS ON THE ACTIVITIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS; STATE LAWS REGARDING EMERGENCY PICKUP OF ABUSED CHILDREN WITHOUT OR PURSUANT TO A COURT ORDER; CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROCEDURES REGARDING THE HANDLING OF ABUSE CASES; AND FAMILY PRIVACY LAWS. TABLES PROVIDE A STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN OF SOCIAL WORKERS' LIABILITIES AND IMMUNITIES UNDER CHILD ABUSE REPORTING LAWS AND LAWS REGARDING EMERGENCY PICKUP OF ABUSED CHILDREN. OTHER TOPICS OUTLINED INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR WHEN SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD GO TO COURT, AND OVERVIEW OF COURT PROCEDURES, CHARACTERISTICS OF JUVENILE PROCEDURES AT THE ADJUDICATIVE AND DISPOSITIONAL STAGE, AND KINDS OF WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE DURING THE TRIAL. THE MANUAL EXPLAINS THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN; THE INTERSTATE COMPACTS ON JUVENILES INVOLVING CUSTODY AND PLACEMENT; AND LEGAL CONCEPTS CONCERNING SEARCH AND SEIZURE LAWS, THE MIRANDA WARNINGS, FAMILY PRIVACY STATUS, TACTICS FOR DISCOVERING THE POSITIONS TAKEN BY OTHER PARTIES TO THE CASE, AND THE HEARSAY RULE. A GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS AND A GUIDE TO READING LEGAL CITATIONS ARE PROVIDED. CHARTS ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE COURT PROCEDURE AND EXAMPLES OF HEARSAY RULE EXCEPTIONS IN TESTIMONY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH CHAPTER, AND AN INDEX IS APPENDED. (WJR)