Opinion ID: 2045497
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Right of Intervention in CINA Dispositional Hearings.

Text: The rules of civil procedure do not automatically apply to juvenile proceedings. In re J.R., 315 N.W.2d 750, 752 (Iowa 1982); see In re Hewitt, 272 N.W.2d 852, 859 (Iowa 1978) (Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 66 concerning special appearances does not apply to juvenile proceedings). We have, however, allowed motions to intervene in termination-of-parental-rights proceedings because such motions would not unduly formalize or restrict such proceedings. In re J.R., 315 N.W.2d at 752. The same is true for CINA proceedings. Therefore, the grandmother's filing of a motion to intervene in the dispositional phase of this CINA proceeding was permissible. We now consider whether her motion should have been granted.