38-2351. Duty of parents and others to appear at all proceedings involving alleged juvenile offender; failure, contempt. - Kansas Statutes

38-2351

Chapter 38.--MINORS Article 23.--REVISED KANSAS JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE

      38-2351.   Duty of parents and others to appear at allproceedings involving alleged juvenile offender; failure, contempt.(a) Any parent or person with whom a juvenile resides who isserved with asummons as provided inK.S.A. 2009 Supp.38-2337, and amendments thereto, shallappear with the juvenile at allproceedings concerning the juvenile, unless excused by the court havingjurisdiction of the matter.

      (b)   Any person required by this code to be present at all juvenileproceedingswho fails tocomply, without good cause, with the provisions of subsection (a) may beproceeded against forindirect contempt of court pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 20-1204aet seq., and amendmentsthereto.

      (c)   As used in this section, "good cause" for failing to appear includes, butis not limited to,a situation where a parent:

      (1)   Does not have physical custody of the juvenile and resides outside ofKansas;

      (2)   has physical custody of the juvenile, but resides outside of Kansas andappearing in courtwill result in undue hardship to such parent; or

      (3)   resides in Kansas, but is outside of the state at the time of thejuvenile proceeding forreasons other than avoiding appearance before the court and appearing in courtwill result in unduehardship to such parent.

      (d)   If the parent of any juvenile cannot be found or fails to appear, thecourt may proceedwith the case without the presence of such parent.

      History:   L. 2006, ch. 169, § 51; Jan. 1, 2007.