Ethical Considerations in Child Welfare Cases: Duties of the Law Guardian and the Parent's Attorney

Ethical Considerations in Child Welfare Cases: Duties of the Law Guardian and the Parent's Attorney

Description

The Role Of Counsel Representing Parents in Child Protection and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings. It is a truism that attorneys do a better job when they believe that their work is worthy and when they value the rights of the clients whom they represent. The excellent esprit de corps developed by the criminal defense bar has often enabled attorneys for indigent criminal defendants to achieve remarkable results for their clients against overwhelming odds and despite intolerable working conditions. Unfortunately, attorneys who represent parents in child protection cases have not developed a similar esprit. To the contrary, all too commonly these cases seem to take the shape of a joint effort by the state, the children, the judge, and counsel for the parents to arrange a result which protects the children from any risk of future harm by the parents -- usually placement with a child-care agency on consent.

Source Publication

Child Abuse, Neglect and the Foster Care System 1998: Effective Social Work and the Legal System; The Attorney's Role & Responsibilities

Source Editors/Authors

David J. Lansner

Publication Date

1998

Ethical Considerations in Child Welfare Cases: Duties of the Law Guardian and the Parent's Attorney

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