31st Circuit Court honored for timeliness in child abuse cases

The Missouri Supreme Court honored the 31st Judicial Circuit Court for its timely work with child abuse and neglect cases during fiscal 2014.

The 31st circuit, which includes Greene County, received the Permanency Award for the third time. The award is given to honor districts that successfully reunite children with their families or place them in other permanent housing as soon as possible, according to a news release.

“The courts have an important role in ensuring stability for the children who are brought into the judicial system through no fault of their own,” Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Russell said in the release. “This award, now in its ninth year, is a testament to the leadership and hard work of judges, juvenile officers, clerks, children’s division workers and other support staff.”

During fiscal 2014, 98 percent of the nearly 47,000 required hearings statewide were held on time. Since instituting the awards program, the timeliness of hearings has risen by an average of 6 percent. To qualify for the award, a district has to achieve either 100 percent timeliness in each quarter or an average of 100 percent annually. The 31st circuit was one of 14 to receive the award for fiscal 2014.

Based on recommendations from the Commission on Children’s Justice, a hearing must be held within three business days after a child is taken into protective custody. The allegations must then be proven within 60 days and a disposition must be entered within 90 days. If the child remains in protective custody, the court must periodically review their situation until being reunited with parents, adopted or placed in another permanent place, according to the release.