December 2004

CLE Books revises Wisconsin Juvenile Law Handbook

State Bar CLE Books has recently released the second edition of the Wisconsin Juvenile Law Handbook, written by attorneys Gina M. Pruski and Kellie M. Krake of the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office, and by the late Virginia A. Pomeroy, a former deputy state public defender.

Focusing on procedures and substantive issues unique to juvenile cases, the Wisconsin Juvenile Law Handbook is an indispensable publication for practitioners in Wisconsin's juvenile courts. While the book begins by describing the rights and roles of various parties in juvenile court and by discussing the initial considerations of jurisdiction and venue, the book's subsequent core chapters chronologically cover the prehearing, hearing, and post-dispositional phases of a juvenile case. These chapters examine a variety of topics, including the criteria that must be met to hold a child or expectant mother in custody, the process for filing a petition, the conduct of discovery and motion practice, and the dispositional alternatives available in different cases.

In addition, the book devotes separate chapters to specific subjects: waiver into adult court; confidentiality; contempt and juvenile sanctions; termination of parental rights; parental consent for a minor's abortion; and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA).

Sample practice forms to use in juvenile court proceedings are included throughout the book. The complete set of updated forms is included on an accompanying CD-ROM. The book also alerts readers to pertinent standard juvenile court forms.

This edition incorporates various recent legal developments affecting the area of juvenile law, including the Wisconsin Legislature's revisions to the Wisconsin Children's Code and Juvenile Justice Code in response to the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) and regulations promulgated under that Act relating to the procedures applicable when a child is placed outside the home. This edition also includes updated appendices, providing charts of relevant time periods and procedures.

In a book review of the original edition, Assistant Attorney General Gregory M. Weber described the Juvenile Law Handbook as "one of the most useful handbooks" published by the State Bar of Wisconsin. This second edition continues to offer practical guidance on concepts and processes that are essential to the Wisconsin juvenile law practitioner.

The handbook is available for $135, plus tax, shipping, and handling. Current owners who subscribe to the automatic supplementation service will receive the revision with an invoice for 10 percent off the regular price.