Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2008/cite/260C.163
Timestamp: 2019-10-17 09:07:25
Document Index: 271026620

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 4', 'art 8', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 5', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 6']

(a) Except for hearings arising under section 260C.425, hearings on any matter shall be without a jury and may be conducted in an informal manner. In all adjudicatory proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services, the court shall admit only evidence that would be admissible in a civil trial. To be proved at trial, allegations of a petition alleging a child to be in need of protection or services must be proved by clear and convincing evidence.
(b) Except for proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services and petitions for the termination of parental rights, hearings may be continued or adjourned from time to time. In proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services and petitions for the termination of parental rights, hearings may not be continued or adjourned for more than one week unless the court makes specific findings that the continuance or adjournment is in the best interests of the child. If a hearing is held on a petition involving physical or sexual abuse of a child who is alleged to be in need of protection or services or neglected and in foster care, the court shall file the decision with the court administrator as soon as possible but no later than 15 days after the matter is submitted to the court. When a continuance or adjournment is ordered in any proceeding, the court may make any interim orders as it deems in the best interests of the minor in accordance with the provisions of sections 260C.001 to 260C.421.
(c) Absent exceptional circumstances, hearings under this chapter are presumed to be accessible to the public, however the court may close any hearing and the records related to any matter as provided in the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure.
(d) Adoption hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to adoptions.
(e) In any permanency hearing, including the transition of a child from foster care to independent living, the court shall ensure that any consult with the child is in an age-appropriate manner.
If, in a proceeding involving a child in need of protection or services, the responsible social services agency recommends transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, the relative has a right to participate as a party, and thereafter shall receive notice of any hearing in the proceedings.
(a) The child, parent, guardian or custodian has the right to effective assistance of counsel in connection with a proceeding in juvenile court.
(b) Except in proceedings where the sole basis for the petition is habitual truancy, if the child, parent, guardian, or custodian desires counsel but is unable to employ it, the court shall appoint counsel to represent the child who is ten years of age or older or the parents or guardian in any case in which it feels that such an appointment is appropriate.
(c) In any proceeding where the sole basis for the petition is habitual truancy, the child, parent, guardian, and custodian do not have the right to appointment of a public defender or other counsel at public expense. However, before any out-of-home placement, including foster care or inpatient treatment, can be ordered, the court must appoint a public defender or other counsel at public expense in accordance with paragraph (b).
Except in adoption proceedings, the county attorney shall present the evidence upon request of the court. In representing the agency, the county attorney shall also have the responsibility for advancing the public interest in the welfare of the child.
1999 c 139 art 3 s 13; art 4 s 2; 1999 c 245 art 8 s 50,51; 2000 c 260 s 35; 2000 c 357 s 1; 2001 c 178 art 1 s 44; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 3 s 15; 2002 c 220 art 6 s 12; 2002 c 314 s 4; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 7 s 4; 2004 c 294 art 5 s 17; 1Sp2005 c 4 art 1 s 48; 2007 c 147 art 1 s 17; 2008 c 361 art 6 s 30