Juvenile Custody Magistrate
I am assigned to a “custody only” docket, where the litigants are generally never married parents or other relatives seeking a custody order. Most litigants appear before the Court without attorneys. Although you do not have an attorney, you are held to the same standard in the courtroom as an attorney. You are responsible for reviewing our local rules as well as all statutory and case law applicable to your case.
The Self-Represented Resource Center is available to self-represented litigants and is located on the 4th floor outside the Juvenile Clerks Office. The Self-Represented Resource Center is a resource for those litigants without attorneys. Depending on the income requirements they may be able to assist you with filling out forms and preparing documents. They are also available to answer procedural questions.
Often litigants have never been to court and do not know what to expect. The following are some helpful guidelines to remember when coming to court:
1. Be respectful to everyone and dress appropriately.
2. DO NOT bring any children to Court with you unless instructed to do so by the Magistrate or Judge.
3. DO bring the parents of the children subject to the case, and/or the child or children's current legal custodian.
4. CHECK IN WITH THE BAILIFF/COURT OFFICER upon your arrival to Court.
5. There are only two ways your case can be decided:
6. If the parents, or current custodians of the child/children, appear and contest the change of custody OR the service process and notice requirements established by law have not been met, your case will be continued to another hearing date.
7. Failure of the filing party to appear for hearing will result in dismissal of the case/motion without further notice.
Rotates
Monday, Thursday, Friday
Tuesday
Hannah E. McNamara
Hannah_McNamara@fccourts.org
614-525-3202