Section 169-C:10 Attorneys and Guardians ad Litem. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. In cases brought pursuant to this chapter involving a neglected or abused child, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) guardian ad litem for the child. The court shall not appoint an attorney for any guardian ad litem appointed for the child, but may appoint an attorney or any other qualified individual as the guardian ad litem for the child. The CASA guardian ad litem shall have the same authority and access to information as any other guardian ad litem.
   II. (a) In cases involving a neglected or abused child under this chapter, where the child's expressed interests conflict with the recommendation for dispositional orders of the guardian ad litem, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of the child. In any case of neglect or abuse brought pursuant to this chapter, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child. In addition, the court may appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent not alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child if the parent is a household member and such independent legal representation is necessary to protect the parent's interests. The court shall not appoint an attorney to represent any other persons involved in a case brought under this chapter.
      (b) When an attorney is appointed as counsel for a child, representation may include counsel and investigative, expert and other services, including process to compel the attendance of witnesses, as may be necessary to protect the rights of the child.
   III. The New Hampshire supreme court shall adopt rules regarding the duties and responsibilities of the CASA guardian ad litem or other guardian ad litem appointed for the child.

Source. 1979, 361:2. 1995, 308:67. 1997, 292:2, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.