About Court Hearings

Court Reports are due to your CASA Manager 14 days prior to your court date. You can email it as an attachment in Word.

CASA Managers will review the Court Report and then file it with the court and other parties 10 days prior to the court date. You will receive a copy of the report.

Templates and formats for preparing your Court Report are here. They are divided by age group. Ask your CASA Manager which template to use if you are unsure or if you have multiple children on your case.

Documents: Documents such as therapists’ reports, school records, etc., must be handled carefully and should not be attached to the report. The CASA Manager and the attorney will determine how to submit the attachments appropriately.

Type of Hearing

Object of Hearing

Court Report?

Emergency Order Hearing

The magistrate determines the child’s placement until the next hearing.

Day 1 Hearing

New cases entering Juvenile Court are heard.

Day 7 Hearing

The magistrate sets the dates for adjudication and/or disposition hearing.

Adjudication/Disposition

At this hearing, the magistrate determines whether the child is abused, neglected or dependent and makes initial decisions about what placement or custody arrangement is in the child’s best interest.

CASA Manager writes the Court Report.

Review Hearing

 

Magistrate considers the progress of the parents and the needs of the child.

CASA Volunteer writes the Court Report.

Annual Review Hearing

Held within 12 months of the initial removal from the home, this hearing allows the magistrate to make a decision about the plan for the child: continued custody of JFS, reunification, termination of parental rights, adoption, or custody or guardianship.

CASA Volunteer writes the Court Report if needed (discuss with CASA Manager).

Pre-trial

At this hearing, the court assures that all necessary parties have been included and properly served. The court addresses any issues that may need resolution before a trial begins.

Termination of parental rights (TPR) or Permanent Commitment Motion (PC)

The magistrate determines whether or not it is in the child’s best interest for permanent custody of the child to be granted to JFS.

CASA Manager writes the Court Report