What if my child does not show up for the Preliminary Hearing in a Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) case?

If the clerk thinks the only way to get your child to the Preliminary Hearing is by ordering them to come, the clerk can issue a summons that says your child must come to the Hearing.

The summons has a copy of the CRA Application attached. The summons has the time and place of the Preliminary Hearing.

If your child got a summons

If your child does not show up for the Preliminary Hearing after they got a summons, the judge can issue a Warrant of Protective Custody.

A Warrant of Protective Custody orders a law enforcement officer to pick up your child and bring them to court for a hearing.

At the hearing the judge decides to:

• Send your child home with you, or
• Place your child in the custody of the Department of Children and Families for no more than 15 days.

The order can be extended twice, for a total of 45 days.

In short

If your child does not show up for the Preliminary hearing, they risk:

• Being brought to court by a law enforcement officer, and
• Being placed in the custody of DCF for up to 45 days.

If your child did not get a summons

If your child did not get a summons to come to the Preliminary Hearing and they do not show up at the Hearing, the clerk can issue a summons.