Your legal rights in an abuse-and-neglect proceeding: attorneys, GALs and hearings

A court-appointed attorney explains their role to parents: "I will advise you about how the child abuse and neglect court process works... I will be at all the court hearings and the multidisciplinary team meetings, which are called MDTs." The attorney also warns parents not to discuss their case on social media because the proceedings are confidential.

The transcript distinguishes the preliminary hearing (where a judge reviews the petition and determines whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed) from the adjudicatory hearing (where the prosecutor presents testimony to support the petition and the judge decides whether the child is an abused or neglected child). The judge explains that parents may choose a stipulated adjudication, which waives contested testimony and results in findings; "If the judge accepts the stipulated adjudication, the judge will make a finding that your child is an abused and or neglected child, and the judge will find that you are an abusive or neglectful parent," the judge says. The transcript emphasizes that a stipulated adjudication carries consequences, including required participation in services and potential loss of the ability to contest the finding later.

A guardian ad litem (GAL) describes representing the child's best interests and asking the court to provide services a child might need, such as counseling or tutoring. Parents are encouraged to consult their attorney before hearings and to consider the risks of waiving testimony.