NCJ Number
52652
Date Published
1977
Length
75 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF FAMILY COURT PROCEDURES TO AID MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IS PRESENTED, AND THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM IN NEW YORK STATE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
A MANUAL OF FAMILY COURT PROCEDURES HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM IN A MANNER THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. TWO MAIN SECTIONS COMPRISE THE MANUAL. THE FIRST PART IS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM IN NEW YORK AND INCLUDES COMMONLY USED TERMS, A SUMMARY OF TYPES OF CASES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, AND PRINCIPAL STEPS IN THE PROCESSING OF FAMILY COURT CASES. THE SECOND PART IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE SUBSECTIONS, EACH OF WHICH OUTLINES THE PROCESSING OF CASES BEFORE FAMILY COURTS IN NEW YORK. SUBSECTIONS CONTAIN A FLOW CHART AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOVEMENT OF EACH TYPE OF CASE THROUGH THE COURT AND POINT OUT LEGAL POSSIBILITIES RELATED TO REFERRALS, COURT REQUESTS, AND INTERVENTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE MADE. MAJOR TYPES OF CASES THAT COME TO THE ATTENTION OF FAMILY COURTS IN NEW YORK ARE DELINQUENCY, STATUS OFFENSE, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, FAMILY OFFENSE, SUPPORT, CUSTODY, AND VISITATION CASES. THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM PROVIDES SUCH SERVICES AS EMERGENCY EVALUATIONS, IMMEDIATE INTAKE INTERVIEWS OF REFERRED CASES, CONSULTATIONS WITH FAMILY COURT PERSONNEL, PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, HOME VISITS, CONSULTATIONS WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHER AGENCIES, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS, CONJOINT (MARITAL) THERAPY SESSIONS, FAMILY GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS, FIELD VISITS TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND COMMUNICATION WITH AND REFERRAL TO SPECIAL PROGRAMS. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)