Section 16 PresenceofParties

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011

Depending on the nature of the hearing, there may be limitations on the court’s ability to proceed if certain parties are not present. Therefore, the first step in the hearing process should be to make a record of the appearances in court.

In abuse and neglect cases, the general rule is that the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents, guardian, or custodian have the right to be present at a hearing. Rule 124.03.a. But Rule 124 gives the court discretion to exclude either the juvenile or the parents in certain...