Can a child participate in a court hearing via Zoom during the pandemic?
The answer is yes. Children can still participate in a court hearing via Zoom. This is happening all over New Jersey. A child or their caregivers will be emailed a Zoom link to log in and participate in the hearing by listening, asking questions, and even testifying. The child should always communicate with their Law Guardian prior to participating in the hearing.
If a child missed school to participate in a hearing, the court can write a letter so the absence is considered excused by the school and not counted against the child.
If a child is not comfortable participating in a court hearing but would like to speak more directly to the judge, the Law Guardian can request a child interview. A child interview is a meeting between the child and the judge. All counsel and parties would be permitted to listen in on the interview and the child interview becomes part of the record.
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Published by Roth-Gutman Law, LLC
Jill Roth-Gutman is a Child Welfare Law Specialist, certified by the National Association of Counsel for Children, a credentialing organization approved by the American Bar Association. She focuses on basic estate planning and niche family law, including acting as Guardian ad Litem in contested custody cases, and filing DCPP adoptions and uncontested special needs guardianships. She also provides consultations to family members and foster parents aka resource parents. Her estate planning services include writing Wills, Power of Attorney, and Living Wills.
Ms. Roth-Gutman serves as a Director on the New Jersey State Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Committee, is a proud member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Child Welfare Committee and Family Law Committee, and a member of the Burlington County Bar Association. She is the Board of the Camden County Workforce Development Board and is the Chair of the Youth Investment Council Committee.
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