2 results for month: 01/2005
The Capacity of a Mentally Retarded Parent to Consent to Adoption
It is universally acknowledged that persons with mentally retardation have, to the maximum degree possible, the same rights as all other people. As early as 1971, the United Nations passed its Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons. A key provision states that whenever mentally retarded persons are unable, because of the severity of their handicap, to exercise all their rights in a meaningful way or it should become necessary to restrict or deny some or all of these rights, the procedure used for that restriction or denial of rights must contain proper legal safeguards against every form of abuse.
In the United States, the ability ...
Social Workers as Expert Witnesses in Child Welfare Cases
Lawyers are increasingly calling upon social workers to serve as expert witnesses in cases involving children and families. Roles for social workers are emerging in the courtroom as expert witnesses in such areas as guardianship, forensic issues, child abuse and neglect, commitment hearings, education, and family custody evaluation.
As society gets more specialized and complicated, the courts are using the testimony of expert witnesses to help resolve cases. Whether defending social workers or agencies, or litigating on behalf of a client, having the right experienced expert witness can make the difference between winning or losing an important ...