Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Abstract

There is an abundance of vulnerable clients within our legal world that require specialized representation for protection. Throughout history, lawyers typically represented either parental or state rights and interest, failing to provide children with a voice in disputed matters where they are often most helpless. As an awareness for the necessity of child advocacy developed, the courts began appointing guardians ad litem to protect their interests. Guardians ad litem perform vast functions as hybrid attorneys, data collectors and conclusive reporters, which has led to excessive legal and ethical confusion. The lack of guidelines and disparity in jurisdictional precedent has produced inequal case results. Still, guardians ad litem have a vital part in assisting to find a resolution in the best interest of the child.

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Criminal Law Commons

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