16-1614 RIGHT TO COUNSEL -- GUARDIAN AD LITEM. - Idaho Statutes

TITLE 16

JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS

CHAPTER 16

CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT

16-1614. Right to counsel -- Guardian ad litem. (1) In any proceeding under this chapter the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child or children to serve at each stage of the proceeding and in appropriate cases shall appoint counsel to represent the guardian, and in appropriate cases, may appoint separate counsel for the child.

(2) If a court does not have available to it a guardian ad litem program or a sufficient number of guardians ad litem, the court shall appoint separate counsel for the child. For a child under the age of twelve (12) years the attorney will have the powers and duties of a guardian ad litem. For a child twelve (12) years of age or older, the court may order that the counsel act with or without the powers and duties of a guardian ad litem.

(3) Counsel appointed for the child under the provisions of this section shall be paid for by the county unless the party for whom counsel is appointed has an independent estate sufficient to pay such costs.