What Do Children Do in Juvenile Dependency Court?

A child might be a witness. If you are a witness, the lawyers and sometimes the judge will ask you questions. Of course, it is very important to tell the truth when you answer questions in court. You even have to make a special promise, called an oath, to tell the truth before you answer questions. It is also important to answer just the questions that you understand. If you don’t understand a question, it is OK to say so and have the question explained to you. If you are a nonminor dependent, make sure to talk to your lawyer before you go to court to answer questions.

If you’re afraid to answer questions in the courtroom, be sure to tell your lawyer, if you have one, or the judge. They will do everything they can to make you feel more comfortable. They may let you answer questions in the judge’s office or have your CASA sit with you in court.

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