FAMILY COURT
Abuse/Neglect
A type of juvenile Dependency case that alleges
non-accidental physical or mental injuries to a child. Abuse/Neglect cases
include allegations of sexual abuse or exploitation; abandonment; insufficient
food, housing, medical care, shelter or supervision which endangers the child's
life or development; parent's inability to care for a child due to his or her
own mental health, etc.
Cases Filed
See specific classifications (Custody/Partial Custody/Visitation,
Delinquency, Dependency, Divorce, Protection From Abuse, and Support)
for a definition of cases filed by category.
Cases Processed
See specific classifications (Custody/Partial Custody/Visitation,
Delinquency, Dependency, Divorce, Protection From Abuse, and Support)
for a definition of cases processed by category.
Conference Officer
In support cases: A type of Non-Judicial Officer who
conducts an office conference pursuant to Pa.R.C.P.1910.11. A Support
petition is considered disposed by a conference officer if 1) an agreement is
reached during an office conference and the court approves the agreement; or 2)
no party requests a hearing within ten days after an office conference.
Custody/Partial Custody/Visitation
A category of cases which are legal proceedings to determine the right:
1) (Custody) to keep, control, guard, care
for and preserve a child;
2) (Partial Custody) to take possession of a
child from the custodial person for a specified length of time;
3) (Visitation) to visit a child, without
the right to remove a child from custodial person's control.
Cases Filed are counted when a complaint or petition to modify
an existing order is filed. Cases Processed are counted when a
final order (or equivalent) has been issued adjudicating the complaint or
petition.
Delinquency
A classification of juvenile case which involves an act by an
individual under the age of 18 which has been designated as a crime under
Pennsylvania law or under local ordinances (see 42 Pa. C.S. § 6302 for a more
extensive definition of “delinquency"). Cases Filed are
counted at referral to a juvenile intake officer. Cases Processed
are counted when the juvenile intake officer informally adjusts the case, or
when a master or judge adjudicates the case after the filing of a petition by
the juvenile intake officer.
Dependency
A classification of juvenile case which involves the absence of the
proper parental care or supervision necessary for the physical, mental,
emotional, or moral health of an individual under 18 years of age (see 42 Pa.
C.S. § 6302 for a more extensive definition of "dependency"). Dependency cases
are separated into two categories: Abuse/Neglect and Status
Offense. In both categories, Cases Filed are
counted when a petition is filed. Cases Processed are counted
when an order is issued adjudicating the petition.
Divorce
A legal proceeding to dissolve a marriage. Cases Filed are
counted when a complaint is filed. Cases Processed are counted
when a final decree or order is issued granting or denying the divorce.
Hearing Officer
In support cases: A type of Non-Judicial Officer, an
attorney, who conducts a hearing pursuant to Pa.R.C.P.1910.12. A Support
petition is considered disposed by a hearing officer if no party files an
exception to any part of the resulting interim order.
Judge
A disposition category referring to the number of cases processed by a
judge following an evidentiary proceeding.
Non-Judicial Officer
A disposition category referring to cases processed following a
conference or a hearing before a Hearing Officer, Conference Officer,
intake officer, master, or mediator.
Other (Disposition)
A residual disposition category which includes transferred, withdrawn,
or discontinued cases; Pa. R.J.A. 1901 dismissals; and agreements or
stipulations of the parties crafted without the assistance of the court; etc.
Protection From Abuse
Cases in which a plaintiff has petitioned the court of common pleas
requesting relief from abuse by the defendant. Abuse occurs between family or
household members, intimate partners, or persons who share biological
parenthood (see 23 Pa. C.S. § 6102 for a more extensive definition of “abuse”).
Cases Filed refer to the number of petitions filed with the
prothonotary during the year, regardless of the number of protected persons
listed on the petition. Not included are indirect criminal contempt actions or
ancillary petitions such as petitions to modify, extend or terminate an
existing order. Cases Disposed are counted when a final order
is entered by the court or the petition is dismissed, denied, withdrawn, or
otherwise terminated. Disposition categories for Protection From Abuse cases
are:
1) Final Order After Hearing - a disposition
category for cases which were disposed after a final hearing;
2) Final Order by Stipulation or Agreement -
a disposition category for cases which were resolved by stipulation or consent
agreement, whether or not a hearing had begun before the court;
3) Dismissed/Withdrawn - a disposition
category for cases which have been dismissed, denied, or terminated by the
court or withdrawn by the parties. Also included are requests for temporary
orders that have been denied and a final hearing has not been granted; and
4) Other - a residual disposition category
which includes cases transferred to another jurisdiction, or deceased plaintiff
or defendant.
Status Offense
A type of juvenile Dependency case that addresses
acts or conduct which are recognized to be offenses, but only when committed or
engaged in by juveniles and which can be adjudicated only by a juvenile court.
Examples of status offenses are curfew violations, incorrigibility, juveniles
alleged to be runaways, truancy, uncontrollable behavior, etc.
Support
Those cases in which a complaint has been filed requesting the court
to require maintenance of a spouse or child by a person required by law to
provide such maintenance. Cases Filed are counted at the
filing of a complaint or petition, and include local and incoming reciprocal
cases, petitions for modification or termination, and alimony pendente lite.
Cases Processed are counted when an order has been issued
adjudicating the complaint or petition.
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