Juvenile Law
The branch of family law that focuses on children is known as juvenile law. This is a complex area of law, and, when faced with juvenile issues, it is best to obtain advice from a lawyer specializing in juvenile law.
In some instances, parents forget to give priority to their children when they dispute. Children's views and rights may be disregarded, for example, on visitation and child support. Juvenile law deals directly and specifically on children's rights regardless of the parents' problems. This may require court intervention by the appointment of guardian ad litem, separate counsel for children in marital dispute, trustee for funds to support the children, or providing protection of children from abuse. These matters are under the jurisdiction of a distinct system of family courts.
Other issues that juvenile law deals with are questions of foster care, shelter, health, nourishment and education. It may even be possible for the court, with the best of the interest of the child as its guiding principle, to terminate the parent's authority over the child. Majority of the states have government agencies whose purpose of existence is to provide protection to children. They may come to the aid of a child who is under the care of unsuitable parents or guardians.
Another aspect of juvenile law handles issues that involve "problem" children, usually referring to children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or low IQ; behavioral problems, like hyperactivity or autism; or debilitating health issues. The decisions to treat, hospitalize or institutionalize children are just some of the sensitive issues in this area of juvenile law.
The juvenile court system serves as a last resort to resolve issues on antisocial behavior in juveniles, whether originating from childhood disabilities or other factors. While juvenile courts are not the same as criminal courts, they do adjudicate breaches of social conduct very similar to those handled in criminal courts for adults.
A growing number of jurisdictions now allow juveniles to under trial as adults, under certain circumstance. The power of juvenile courts to incarcerate individuals normally terminates at the age of majority; but when persons commit crimes so serious as to require more severe penalties, imprisonment beyond the age of eighteen may be contemplated.