26 Reports

Before a dispositional hearing takes place, anyone preparing a report on the case must file it with the court and share it with everyone involved. This includes the guardian ad litem, any parents or others representing themselves without a lawyer, and all attorneys on the case. The report must go out at least seven days before the hearing so everyone has time to read it and prepare.

The report has to follow a specific format set by the state. This is called the AOC-DNA-12 form, and it's used for cases involving dependency, neglect, or abuse. Using this standard form means every report covers the same basic information, so the court and everyone else knows what to expect and can compare cases fairly.

This rule matters because it gives parents, lawyers, and the guardian ad litem enough time to review the report before going into the hearing. Nobody should walk into court and see this information for the first time. If you are involved in one of these cases, you should expect to receive this report a week before the hearing date, and you should reach out to the court or your attorney right away if you don't get it on time.