§ 15-14.1-37 - Role of prosecutor or public official. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 15-14.1-37

   § 15-14.1-37  Role of prosecutor or publicofficial. – (a) In a case arising under this chapter or involving the Hague Convention onthe Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the prosecutor or otherappropriate public official may take any lawful action, including resorting toa proceeding under this chapter or any other available civil proceeding tolocate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custodydetermination if there is:

   (1) An existing child custody determination;

   (2) A request to do so from a court in a pending childcustody proceeding;

   (3) A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has beenviolated; or

   (4) A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfullyremoved or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspectsof International Child Abduction.

   (b) A prosecutor or appropriate public official acting underthis section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.