From: lindae@netcom.com
Subject: Glossary of Terms
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 20:13:46 GMT
Expires: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 07:00:00 GMT




This information is being posted by a volunteer for Child Quest International
Child Quest is a non-profit organization,   dedicated to the protection and
recovery of missing, abused, and exploited children.  If you are searching
for a missing child or if you know of any situation where a child is in
danger of abuse, abduction, or exploitation, please call Child Quest
immediately for help.  The San Jose phone number is (408) 492-1122.


There are many terms used in this newsgroup that you may not be
familiar with.  So, here are some definitions to help clarify.

The following "GLOSSARY OF TERMINOLOGY" is published by the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children
This terminology refers to the terms and definitions as accepted by
that agency.
                     

(1) ABDUCTED CHILD - The child who has been wrongfully taken, kept, or
concealed by the abductor parent.  Also called "victim child".

(2) ABDUCTOR PARENT - The parent who wrongfully takes, keeps, or conceals
the child.

(3)  CHILD-SNATCHING LAWSUITS - Legal actions that the victim parent and
child may be able to file against the abductor parent and other people who
assisted the abductor

(4)  CUSTODIAL PARENT - The parent who has been awarded sole or joint
custody by a court

(5)  CUSTODY DETERMINATION - A court order awarding rights of custody
(including joint custody) and visitation.  Also called custody order or
custody decree.                                        ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^
^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^

(6)  EX PARTE ORDER - A court order that is obtained without notice to the
other parent.  It is always temporary and is followed by notice to the other
parent of a hearing by the court issuing the ex parte order.
					     ^^ ^^^^^

(7)  EXTRADITION - The legal procedure by which a person suspected of a crime,
or an escaped criminal, is returned to the state from which he or she has fled

(8)  FELONY - A serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment for at least 
one year.  A less serious crime is a misdemeanor.
				     ^^^^^^^^^^^

(9)  INTERSTATE - between two states

(10)  JOINT CUSTODIAN - A parent who has been awarded joint custody
(sometimes called shared custody) by a court

(11)  JURISDICTION - Legal authority of the court to make certain orders 
relating to child custody, visitation, or parental kidnapping

(12)  MODIFY - to change

(13)  NONCUSTODIAL PARENT - the parent who has not been awarded custody rights
or who has been awarded visitation by a court

(14)  PARENTAL KIDNAPPING - The taking, keeping, or concealing, without
permission, of a child by a parent or person acting on behalf of the parent.
Also called child snatching, child abduction, custodial interference or family
kidnapping. ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^    ^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^

(15) PAROLE - Release of a convicted criminal from state prison with
restrictions and conditions.  A parolee is usually required to report to
a parole officer.

(16) PERSONAL SERVICE - Notification to a party in a lawsuit of a court
action by handing the notice and other legal documents to the person.  Some
states allow additional methods of personal service.

(17) PICK-UP ORDER  - A court order, usually obtained in the state in which
the child is located, which allows the local law-enforcement in that
state to pick up the child from the abductor.

(18) PROBATION - Release of a convicted criminal with no incarceration,
but with restrictions and conditions.  A probationer may be required to
report to a probation officer.

(19) PROSECUTOR - Person in the criminal justice system who files
criminal charges against and prosecutes an abductor parent who has
violated the law.  Also called district attorney, state's attorney, commonwealthattorney, or solicitor.        ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^     ^^^^^^^^^

(20) SEARCH WARRANT - Special legal order used by police and prosecutors      
 to take private records, evidence, and information from a specific location
for a criminal investigation

(21)  STATE CLEARINGHOUSE - A state agency that keeps records of missing
children and may assist law-enforcement agencies in trying to recover
missing children

(22)  SUBPOENA - Special legal order used in civil and criminal proceedings
to demand that an individual come to court.  It may also demand that
private records and information be produced for inspection or produced
in court.

(23)  SUBSTITUTE SERVICE - A substitute for personal service.  Both
parties to a lawsuit must receive notice of all court actions.  If
persons cannot be found or if they deliberately conceal their 
whereabouts, most states allow alternatives to personal service.

(24)  TEMPORARY CUSTODY - Legal custody for a limited time.  A judge
may issue a temporary custody order before he or she has had the
benefit of hearing the full case from both parents, or after a trial,
but with the expectation of reviewing the custody decision in the 
near future.

(25)  VICTIM PARENT - The parent from whom the child has been wrongfully
taken, kept, or concealed.  Also called searching parent.
					^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^


Keeping Hope Alive,
Child Quest International
Linda
lindae@netcom.com