Dealing with children for over 30 years showed me that when kids are in trouble, you could never take anything for granted. So much depends on who the child has in court with them as to the final disposition of the case.

I have been to court with many kids as a foster mom. When we had a business called Life Ready, we also appeared with kids to add our perspective to the situation. I also served as a Guardian-Ad-Litem and State Mediator for the courts. I have seen many legal problems involving kids result in surprise endings. Absolutely, anything can happen. My feeling is every child that appears in court must have a lawyer.

Even when the Guardian- Ad-Litem is there and a fair judge, the child needs a lawyer. The Guardian-Ad-Litem's job is to investigate the situation and report to the judge. Finally, they make a recommendation to the court as to their idea of what is in the best interest of the child. That is only one opinion and that person may n be privy to all the facts from outside sources. The judge is trying to make sure the final arrangement is just and fair. The lawyer should be only present for the child. He should be making sure the child's best legal interest is served and they get the best representation there is available.

When we send a minor into court without a lawyer, they are being denied one of their rights. We have seen this happen on occasion. Another right often ignored is a right for a child to only be questioned by police with an adult present. This is another time you may wish to have a child's lawyer in attendance.

Be sure the lawyer is only the child's. Your own or another relative's lawyer will not do. They have several slants on the subject. That may be detrimental to the child or his case. Sometimes 'family' lawyers may have 'hidden agendas' so it is imperative that a child receives representation that is truly his own. A lawyer will be assigned to a child who cannot afford one and there is no time that it would serve that child best to refuse a lawyer. Please do not let them do that as a parent or a foster parent.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel