Title: In re J.V.
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 
State: Vermont
Issuer: Vermont Supreme Court
Date: March 1, 1990

In re J.V. Annotate this Case 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, 469 A.2d 751 , 754 (1983). By granting the brief continuances, the court acted reasonably and diligently to resolve the disputes between the parties and to accommodate legitimate needs. There was no abuse of its discretion. Affirmed. BY THE COURT: Frederic W. Allen, Chief Justice Louis P. Peck, Associate Justice [ ] Publish Ernest W. Gibson III, Associate Justice [ ] Do Not Publish John A. Dooley, Associate Justice James L. Morse, Associate Justice