NCJ Number
133536
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The titles and roles of juvenile court personnel vary among jurisdictions and sometimes within jurisdictions; court personnel may include the judge, court clerk, bailiff, guardian ad litem, protective services agency liaison, juvenile probation officer, prosecutor, and public defender.
Abstract
Judges may be elected or appointed. They administer the courtroom, conduct the proceedings, rule on the admissibility of the evidence, make determinations regarding the law, determine the facts in cases without juries, determine the juvenile's placement while proceedings are pending, order mental health evaluations, and make the disposition of the case. The court clerk maintains the schedule, calls the cases, and ensures that documents and court orders are entered into the record. The bailiff keeps order. The guardian ad litem is usually an attorney, who represents to the court the best interests of the child. Some jurisdictions have liaisons between the court and child protective services agencies. Mental health professionals working in the juvenile court have great opportunities and responsibilities to provide meaningful information and assistance to the juvenile court in understanding and reaching a conclusion that is in the child's best interests.