Opinion ID: 2136941
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: in juvenile proceedings

Text: Majority opinion fails to delineate and distinguish the sequential presentation of factual proof in the adjudicatory and dispositional phases of juvenile proceedings. We must not confuse the requirements of proof in civil evidence, criminal evidence, and juvenile proceedings evidence. Under SDCL 19-9-14(7), strict rules of evidence do not apply to Disposition hearings in juvenile court. See also, In Matter of C.J.H., 371 N.W.2d 345 (S.D.1985). Note current opinion, Matter of H.M. and S.M., 474 N.W.2d 267, handed down by this Court August 14, 1991, written by Justice Wuest, joined by three Justices, with Justice Sabers dissenting on hearsay evidence at the dispositional hearing, said dissent postured against the juvenile code and precedent in this Court. By implication, the Rules of Evidence do apply to adjudicatory proceedings. Why? Because SDCL 19-9-14, in its last sentence, expresses: Those chapters other than those with respect to privileges do not apply in the following situations: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Disposition hearings in juvenile court. Further, SDCL 26-7A-34(2) significantly broadens the trial court's responsibilities, and, therefore his discretion, permitting the trial court to take evidence at the dispositional hearing on (a) history (b) environment (past and present), physical, mental, and moral condition of the child and of the child's parents. Majority's employment of the application of strict rules of evidence, found in severed breakdowns by alphabetical letters, using a criminal law case such as State v. Luna , is entirely inapposite in light of the above statutes and authorities. Unfortunately, the tendered majority opinion cites several other criminal cases. [] It mistakenly attempts to implant the criminal rules of evidence upon juvenile proceedings. Majority opinion needlessly tracks the Rules of Evidence herein when it appears that the trial court did not refer to inadmissible bad acts or hearsay evidence. Rather, trial court focused on physical abuse on the evening of August 5, 1989. There are seven and one-half pages of the majority opinion on these two subjects. If the trial court did not base a decision upon either of these subjects, why does the majority opinion discourse, for seven and one-half pages, i.e., approximately 1,800 words, upon these two subjects? Is it not sua sponte and obiter dicta? Therefore, as the thread of the majority opinion is inapposite and not applicable to the trial court's decision, I dissent on the scope of review which is interspersed throughout the opinion spawning difficult, if not impossible, dissection.