Effective - 28 Aug 1995
211.011. Purpose of law — how construed. — The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the care, protection and discipline of children who come within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. This chapter shall be liberally construed, therefore, to the end that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall receive such care, guidance and control as will conduce to the child's welfare and the best interests of the state, and that when such child is removed from the control of his parents the court shall secure for him care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should have been given him by them. The child welfare policy of this state is what is in the best interests of the child.
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(L. 1957 p. 642 § 211.010, A.L. 1995 H.B. 232 & 485 merged with S.B. 174)
(1968) Procedure of juvenile court which resulted in commitment to state training school did not violate constitutional protection as set forth by U.S. Supreme Court in the case of application of Gault. Ex parte de Grace (A.), 425 S.W.2d 228.
(1972) Missouri's Juvenile Act is rooted in the concept of parens patriae and the functions of a juvenile officer and a prosecuting attorney are so inherently conflicting that proper administration of the Juvenile Act does not allow these functions to be exercised by a person holding both offices. Thus, juvenile court, located in county in judicial circuit comprised only of counties of the third class, was without jurisdiction to proceed on petition filed by such juvenile officer. In re F_______ C_______(A.), 484 S.W.2d 21.
(1977) Jurisdiction of divorce or dissolution of marriage remains in circuit court where it was filed but jurisdictions of cause as it relates to child custody may in some instances be superseded by juvenile court. Ex parte J.A.P. (A.), 546 S.W.2d 806.
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XII - Public Health and Welfare
Section 211.011 - Purpose of law — how construed.
Section 211.021 - Definitions.
Section 211.023 - Juvenile court commissioner, appointment, where, term, compensation.
Section 211.037 - Nonoffending parent, child returned to custody of, when.
Section 211.051 - Jurisdiction as to custody of child not exclusive.
Section 211.069 - Citation of law.
Section 211.085 - Court may order work in restitution for child — child not an employee.
Section 211.101 - Issuance of summons — notice — temporary custody of child — subpoenas.
Section 211.111 - Summons, how served.
Section 211.121 - Failure to respond to summons, contempt — warrant for custodian of child.
Section 211.132 - Parent, guardian may be made party to proceeding.
Section 211.135 - Appearance of child in court, when.
Section 211.151 - Places of detention — photographing and fingerprinting, restrictions.
Section 211.156 - Care and detention of certain children by county, contribution by state, when.
Section 211.161 - Court may require physical or mental examination — costs paid by county.
Section 211.177 - Grandparent's right to intervene in action, restrictions, termination.
Section 211.180 - Family preservation screenings, conducted when, results.
Section 211.188 - Court may order work for restitution — not an employee.
Section 211.202 - Mentally disordered children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.203 - Developmentally disabled children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.221 - Religion considered in placing child.
Section 211.251 - Modification of court orders.
Section 211.271 - Court orders not to affect civil rights — not evidence, exception.
Section 211.281 - Costs how adjudged, collected.
Section 211.311 - Clerk of circuit court to act for juvenile court.
Section 211.319 - Juvenile court records and proceedings, abuse and neglect cases, procedure.
Section 211.341 - Detention facilities, how provided — government (third and fourth class counties).
Section 211.343 - Detention facilities, standards and rules for operation.
Section 211.355 - Missouri state juvenile justice advisory board, members, report.
Section 211.381 - Compensation of juvenile court personnel — expenses — salary adjustments.
Section 211.382 - Professionals retained by juvenile court, when.
Section 211.401 - Duties of juvenile officers — may make arrests — cooperation.
Section 211.411 - Law enforcement officials to assist and cooperate with juvenile officers.
Section 211.421 - Endangering the welfare of a child or interfering with orders of court.
Section 211.431 - Violation of law, class A misdemeanor.
Section 211.442 - Definitions.
Section 211.443 - Construction of sections 211.442 to 211.487.
Section 211.444 - Termination of parental rights, when.
Section 211.453 - Service of summons, how made — when required — waiver of summons.
Section 211.487 - Application of sections 211.442 to 211.487 — what law to govern.
Section 211.500 - Establishment of regional juvenile detention districts, when.