Title: In re J.V.

State: vermont

Issuer: Vermont Supreme Court

Document:

ENTRY ORDER
                      SUPREME COURT DOCKET NO. 88-400
                             MARCH TERM, 1990
 
 
In re J.V., Juvenile              }          APPEALED FROM:
                                  }
                                  }
                                  }          District Court of Vermont
                                  }          Unit No. 2, Chittenden Circuit
                                  }
                                  }
                                  }          DOCKET NO. 158-6-88CnJ
 
 
             In the above entitled cause the Clerk will enter:
 
 
    We agree with the district court that the delays in the delinquency and
disposition hearings beyond the time limits set out in 33 V.S.A. {{ 645(b)
and 647(a) were not cause for dismissal.  There is nothing in either
statute to suggest that a finding of delinquency or a disposition order is
valid only if the hearings are held within the time limits specified.  In re
J.R.,  No. 86-595, slip op. at 6-7 (Vt. Nov. 3, 1989).  The time limits are
directory rather than jurisdictional requirements.  Id. at 6-7.  Therefore,
noncompliance does not invalidate either the disposition order or the
finding of delinquency.  Id. at 7.
 
     However, the court must ensure that a parent's rights are protected by
speedy disposition hearings.  Id.  The granting of a continuance by the
trial court is a matter of discretion.  In re R.S., 143 Vt. 565, 570,