Court Guides
Court can be a confusing experience. People who do not spend a lot of time in court might not know much about the people in the courtroom and the rules that need to be followed.
Knowing when to talk, who to talk to, and what to say can be difficult. A parent’s best advocate in the courtroom is your lawyer. Your lawyer will speak for you and help simplify the court process. He or she will also help you understand what is going on and what is expected of you. If you don’t have a lawyer, you can ask your caseworker how to get one. There are many different ways to find a lawyer; some courts appoint a lawyer for the parent, some refer the parent to a low-cost or no-cost law firm, and some parents hire their own lawyer for a fee.
If you want to learn more about courts, their role, and responsibilities or even just learn more about the people who work in the courtroom, reading this court guide will help. You can ask your attorney or your caseworker if one of these is available for your county. You can also look at some guides from other counties. Some of the information might be different, but much will be the same.
