Advanced Court Report Writing:
Painting the Picture of Best Interest
Presented by:
CASA Jefferson
Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court
Cynthia Chauvin & Wendy Magee
Why Have a Clinic?
• Reports did not reflect the level of advocacy being
performed by the advocates
• Too much information presented during preservice training; advocates couldn’t assimilate all
they learned
• Pre-service training is a sterile environment in
which to learn; no real situations to relate to their
learning
Afraid to go into the Water?
• SHARKS! Well, not exactly,
but some advocates find writing
reports intimidating.
• Some advocates are better with
the written word than others;
level of education and
experience doesn’t matter and
can hinder in some instances.
• Some advocates cannot
distinguish big details from little
ones; what should or should not
be included in a report
If You Are Afraid of
the Water…
• What happens when people are afraid?
• Sometimes NOTHING…as in
NO REPORT!
• A court report writing clinic can help ease fears and
calm minds; they show an advocate how to write so
the judge will listen
We wanted a “best practices”
program with “best practices”
court reports. Thus began our
clinic. We looked at:
 Location
 Time of Day
 Frequency
 Who would benefit
 In-Service credit
 The need for individualized
instruction
 An evaluation component
Why Write Reports?
• Judges can read them…and re-read
them!
• Document facts
• Provide a roadmap for the Advocate’s
testimony
• A CASA report timely provided to all
parties can initiate compromise,
reducing the likelihood of Court battles
• No “surprise attacks” the day of Court
What is the Value of a
Good Court Report
• Provide factual
information
• Give identifying
information
• Provide background
information for the
Judge and parties
• Review Case Plan
compliance
• SO THAT…
The Judge can
make accurate,
fact- based
decisions in the
best interest of
the children and
families before the
bench that day,
and each and every
day thereafter.
Providing a Report to the Court:
When and to Whom
When




Dispositions
ASFA Reviews
ASFA Permanency Reviews
Status Hearings
To Whom
 The Judge
 All parties
CASA Court Report Template
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Issues for Court’s Attention
Placement
Education
Psychological/Medical
Social
Visitation
Case Plan Compliance
Safety and Protection
Financial
Wishes of the Child
Resources in the Family and in the Community
Conclusions
Fact-based recommendations
Best Practices Reports
• Best Practices reports are objective and thorough,
based on facts discovered by neutral Advocates
performing independent investigations of
children’s lives.
• It provides information to the Court and parties
so that the best interest of the children is the
main consideration when rendering decisions that
affect their lives and the lives of their families.
Questions?
Cynthia Chauvin
clee@jpjc.org
504.367.3500 x332
Wendy Magee
wmagee@jpjc.org
504.367.3500 x307