Children and the Law in a Nutshell

Book excerpt: This thoroughly updated Nutshell follows the structure and format of the authors' popular casebook--Children and the Law: Doctrine, Policy, and Practice. The authors have devoted entire chapters to the meaning of "parent," civil and criminal abuse and neglect, the foster care system, adoption, medical decision-making, support and other financial responsibilities, protective legislation, and delinquency. Representation of children is covered throughout the book. Also treated for comparative purposes are several relevant international law issues, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, international child labor, and U.S. tobacco exports. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child protection, foster care and juvenile justice systems is integrated into this edition.