§ 232.126 — Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem

Iowa § 232.126

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VI: HUMAN SERVICES
• Ch. 232: JUVENILE JUSTICE

Text

1. The court shall appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the
child at the hearing to determine whether the family is a family in need of assistance unless
thechildalreadyhassuchcounselorguardian. Thecourtshallappointcounselfortheparent,
guardian, or custodian if that person desires but is financially unable to employ counsel.

2. The court may appoint a court appointed special advocate. The court appointed
special advocate shall receive notice of and may attend all depositions, hearings, and trial
proceedings to support the child and advocate for the protection of the child. The court
appointed special advocate shall not be allowed to separately introduce evidence or to
directly examine or cross-examine witnesses. The court appointed special advocate shall
submit reports to the court and the parties to the proceedings containing the information
required in reports submitted by a court appointed special advocate under section 237.24,
subsection 2, paragraphs “g” and “h”. In addition, the court appointed special advocate shall
file other reports to the court as required by the court.

Legislative History

[C79, 81, §232.126]