What Cases Does A Juvenile Court Hear?

The juvenile court has special authority to handle cases involving allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency of children. It also decides custody for children who are not wards of any state court.

When making custody decisions, the juvenile court follows specific laws. However, since March 22, 2019, if the child's parents are married or were previously married, and there is an existing custody order, or the custody issue is part of a divorce or similar case, the domestic relations court will handle the custody matters instead of the juvenile court.

Juvenile Court Authority

The juvenile court keeps its exclusive authority over cases involving children who are abused, neglected, dependent, delinquent, unruly, or involved in traffic offenses. It can also issue temporary visitation orders between a parent and non-parent in ongoing custody cases if the child is not a ward of the state. However, without allegations of abuse or neglect, the court cannot determine visitation rights for non-parents unless they are seeking custody.

Juvenile Court and Custody

According to the law, the juvenile court can hear custody cases referred by the Court of Common Pleas after a divorce. Any court handling child custody can transfer part of the case to the juvenile court for further proceedings. If the Court of Common Pleas finds parents unsuitable for custody, it doesn't need the juvenile court’s permission to transfer the case.

The juvenile court can transfer cases to the domestic relations court for parents going through divorce, dissolution, or separation. This transfer is mandatory if there is a related ongoing case in the domestic relations court, but it is optional in other situations, requiring the domestic relations court’s consent. Once transferred, both courts share jurisdiction until the final custody orders are issued.

If a juvenile court places a child under a support order with someone other than ordered by the domestic relations court, it must notify the domestic relations court and the child support enforcement agency, which will review and possibly modify the support order. Objections to these administrative changes must be addressed in the domestic relations court.

Additionally, the juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction over applications for consent to marry and can determine the paternity of children born out of wedlock.

In conclusion, juvenile courts handle a range of cases involving minors that go beyond delinquency, such as matters of custody, dependency, neglect, and abuse. In custody cases, the juvenile court's priority is to ensure the child's well-being and make decisions that serve their best interests. The court may also intervene when the child's home environment is unsafe or unstable, assigning guardianship or making custody arrangements accordingly.

By addressing these sensitive issues, juvenile courts play a key role in safeguarding children's welfare and providing them with a stable, nurturing environment.