Marion County Juvenile Court - Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program
Sometimes, not everyone involved with a juvenile court case agrees about what is in the best interest for the child. In certain cases under the jurisdiction of the Marion Superior Court, Juvenile Division the court may order the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to look out for the child's welfare.
In most juvenile delinquency cases a parent or guardian will appear for a child in court and will serve as the child's GAL. However, sometimes the court must appoint a volunteer Guardian ad Litem from the community when a parent or guardian is unable or unwilling to protect the best interests of their child. Examples of cases where the judge may appoint a GAL in juvenile delinquency matters include: it's a delinquent act against the parent, it's a delinquent act against a brother or sister or other family member, there are other parent issues, and/or there are other conflicts between the parent and child.
The GAL volunteer works as the "eyes and the ears" of the judge gathering and reporting factual data that will be helpful to the court when the time comes for the judge to make decisions related to the child's welfare at the disposition hearing. The GAL meets with their client, discusses the case with the client's public defender/private attorney, communicates with the assigned probation officer to explore community services that may help rehabilitate the client, interviews parents/guardians and any other relevant person or service provider, and formulates an accurate, objective, unbiased report for the court with the GAL's recommendations as to what they believe is in the best interests of their client. Read more about the role and duties of a Guardian ad Litem...
Serving as a GAL is a valuable way for Indianapolis attorneys to complete their pro bono requirement outlined in Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 with the opportunity to also earn free CLE credits by attending the training session. However, you do not have to be an attorney to serve as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem. We are currently seeking volunteer GALs who are: mature caring adults of sound moral character with sincere concern for the well being of children, are objective and non-judgmental, able to interact with people of various educational, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, possess good verbal and written communication skills, and have enough flexibility in their daytime schedules that will permit them to attend (2) to (4) court hearings with their client. Volunteers must be also able to pass criminal background checks. Each volunteer is also required to attend one training session which are typically held twice annually at the Juvenile Court - please see our training page for more information regarding upcoming training sessions.
You can learn more about our program on our About Us page or to apply to be a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem please see our Application page.
In most juvenile delinquency cases a parent or guardian will appear for a child in court and will serve as the child's GAL. However, sometimes the court must appoint a volunteer Guardian ad Litem from the community when a parent or guardian is unable or unwilling to protect the best interests of their child. Examples of cases where the judge may appoint a GAL in juvenile delinquency matters include: it's a delinquent act against the parent, it's a delinquent act against a brother or sister or other family member, there are other parent issues, and/or there are other conflicts between the parent and child.
The GAL volunteer works as the "eyes and the ears" of the judge gathering and reporting factual data that will be helpful to the court when the time comes for the judge to make decisions related to the child's welfare at the disposition hearing. The GAL meets with their client, discusses the case with the client's public defender/private attorney, communicates with the assigned probation officer to explore community services that may help rehabilitate the client, interviews parents/guardians and any other relevant person or service provider, and formulates an accurate, objective, unbiased report for the court with the GAL's recommendations as to what they believe is in the best interests of their client. Read more about the role and duties of a Guardian ad Litem...
Serving as a GAL is a valuable way for Indianapolis attorneys to complete their pro bono requirement outlined in Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 with the opportunity to also earn free CLE credits by attending the training session. However, you do not have to be an attorney to serve as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem. We are currently seeking volunteer GALs who are: mature caring adults of sound moral character with sincere concern for the well being of children, are objective and non-judgmental, able to interact with people of various educational, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, possess good verbal and written communication skills, and have enough flexibility in their daytime schedules that will permit them to attend (2) to (4) court hearings with their client. Volunteers must be also able to pass criminal background checks. Each volunteer is also required to attend one training session which are typically held twice annually at the Juvenile Court - please see our training page for more information regarding upcoming training sessions.
You can learn more about our program on our About Us page or to apply to be a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem please see our Application page.
How you can impact a child's life by serving as a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem...
Note: This video was produced by another county and it mentions the GAL's role in foster care cases. In our program your position as Guardian ad Litem is a little different in that you are dealing with youth who have entered the juvenile justice system through delinquent actions. Many times however there is an overlap and the child experiencing delinquency issues may also have a history of being abused or neglected.