Attorney for Children

In certain cases, the court may be unsure of which parent is telling the truth, or the court may believe that neither parent is presenting a position which seems to be in the best interest of the child(ren). In these cases, the court may appoint an attorney for the minor child(ren). This appointed attorney is called Minor's Counsel.

There is a Sacramento County Court Minor’s Counsel Panel from which the court chooses an attorney for a particular case. Ms. Campbell is on this panel and is often appointed by the court.

The Minor’s attorney is authorized by the Court to interview the parties, the child(ren), teachers, therapists, doctors, or any other people as need be, as well as review records pertaining to the child(ren). The Minor’s attorney seeks agreement of the parties regarding contested issues, and if no agreement is reached, the attorney proposes certain orders to the court. The Minor’s Counsel considers the child’s wishes, but ultimately uses her best judgment in making such proposals. These proposals are given great credence by the court, and frequently are made a court order without further investigation.