Do S and Don Ts of Practicing in Juvenile Court

Do S and Don Ts of Practicing in Juvenile Court

DO’S

OF PRACTICING

IN JUVENILE COURT

Come to Court on time- parties and attorneys are asked to appear at 8:30 a.m. or 8:45 a.m. (depending on the Judge) and Calendar Call begins at 9:00 a.m.

Submit conflict letters and leaves of absence in a timely fashion and in compliance with the Uniform Court Rules

Contact your client as soon as possible after your appointment to the case

Contact opposing counsel as far in advance of the next hearing as possible

Try to resolve any evidentiary, discovery, or other issues prior to the next hearing

Check CPRS for case plans and other case-related information and documents

Serve opposing counsel and/or parties with copies of all pleadings

Remember that every action in Juvenile Court starts with a complaint filed in Intake (including Legitimation cases)—after filing the complaint, then you can file your motion, petition, etc—and get a new case number

Submit your bills in a timely fashion

Tell us if you know you already have a conflict when the Judge’s secretary calls you about an appointment—we’ll simply call someone else on the list, it won’t be held against you in any way, and we’ll call you the next time

Try to get opposing counsel’s consent if you need a continuance—if they don’t agree, better file a formal motion

Keep your contact information updated with Zayne Cousins, Melanie Fenwick Thompson, and DeKalb County Purchasing & Contracting Department.

Mark your exhibits before the hearing and show your documents to opposing counsel before court

Attend the mandatory training—if you don’t, you’ll be removed from the list

Respond to our e-mails within 24 hours, even if the response is nothing more than a status update

Proofread your invoices, motions, orders, etc for accuracy (pay special attention to case numbers, names, dates of birth, court dates, etc- be sure to use the most recent/current case numbers for your appointment on your invoices)

Highlight your objections to a proposed order so we can easily understand your concerns

Introduce yourself to the Judge if you have never been in that courtroom before

Introduce yourself at Calendar Call when your case is called

Ask other attorneys for advice/help

Ask, if you have a question. There really are no bad questions and we are always happy to help

Listen to the questions and testimony so that you do not end up repeating what has already been asked and answered.

Always be courteous to the parties, other attorneys, court personnel, etc. (even if you don’t really care for them.)

DON’TS

OF PRACTICING

IN JUVENILE COURT

  • Don’t send us a conflict letter the day before or the morning of the hearing—that’s too late and does us no good
  • Don’t ask for a continuance then act surprised when the next hearing date is several weeks out—our calendars are pretty full and are scheduled well in advance—we may not be able to give you a quick reset date—and keep in mind that to your client, even a quick reset may feel like an eternity
  • Don’t forget to sign in or to let us know if you’re going to another courtroom
  • Don’t forget to call or e-mail us if you’re running late
  • Don’t use an old/existing case number for a new action (e.g. a Legitimation)—every filing gets its own number
  • Don’t get another lawyer to handle your case for you in your absence (unless you get prior approval from the Judge)—you were appointed to represent that client, not the other lawyer
  • Don’t forget to show up to court. If you do, you may be removed from the case.
  • Don’t bring clients back into the secured area (the Judges’ offices) without first asking the secretary or calendar clerk and without notifying a deputy
  • Don’t accept an appointment when you know you have a conflict that can’t be resolved
  • Don’t forget to give the Tribunal Clerk a list of your witnesses before your hearing begins. We prefer to have names spelled correctly and witnesses correctly identified. It is often difficult to hear them on the witness stand.
  • Don’t forget to stand and speak up when you are addressing the Court and remind your clients to do the same. If the Judge can’t hear you, he/she can’t help you.
  • Don’t forget to check back with the other courtroom if you have multiple cases that day in more than one courtroom. If your case is not being heard in one courtroom, go to the other one and see if they are ready for you.
  • Don’t forget that this is your client’s only case. To that parent, this is probably the single most important thing going on in their lives.
  • Don’t forget that your client’s child(ren) has been taken out of the home. They are stressed out and they need to know that you know what you are doing and that you are there to help them.
  • Don’t cross-examine a witness just to cross-examine them. If a witness’s testimony doesn’t hurt or won’t help you, you may not need to ask them anything.
Top View