Custody

They are hired (or are appointed by a court) in order to prove a defendant's innocence.

Criminal defense attorneys represent criminal defendants, through all steps of prosecution. They protect the rights of the accused, advise the accused on the relevant law and procedure, and if necessary, represent the accused at trial.

Short answer: Triple the age of the child. For example: The child is 6 years old. The child would receive 18 swats.

Long answer:

If you tell the child to clean their room for the 1st time, you should tell them HOW to clean their room. For example: Please, put the crayons and the toy cars in the bucket. Make your bed. If they do not comply, then swat them triple their age.

(I would not recommend swatting a child who is under 2 and 1/2 years. )

I would use an implement, like a paddle. Hands are for loving. Children might flinch when you touch them; They think they are going to be hit.

Do NOT try and smack a child that is running away from you. DO NOT give extra swats when they run away. That is a child's natural instinct.

Instead, grab them, drop down to their level and tell them why they are getting a smacking. Put the child over your knee then smack them triple their age, or until they stop struggling.

If a child stops struggling I would stop the smacking even if you are not done giving triple # of swats.

Tell them you love them.

Now tell them to go clean their room, apologize, or etc.

If they do not comply, now give them a smacking again.

Remember: Make expectations appropriate for the child's age. You could not tell a six year old to clean their room everyday and do all their homework without needing to be told or asked.

This is an issue that's frequently brought up, along with the right to choose what parent they wish to live with.

This issue particularly arises as children enter their teen years. They don't want to be required to spend time with a parent, either parent. They think of themselves as almost adults, and thus can make their own decisions.

Let me start with the view on one teen on Joint Physical Custody.

Equal Time - A Teen's Views On Joint Custody

How I divide my life between my divorced parents' homes.

By Charlotte Juerge - Newsweek - Dec 15, 2008

See Link Below

"My parents divorced when I was 2 years old. Because I was so young, I cannot remember anything of how the divorce actually felt at the time. But 12 years later, I am quite content with my life and my parents. Unlike many divorced couples with children, neither parent has primary custody of me, but rather, I switch between my parents' houses every other day, spending roughly equal time with my mother and my father. "

For younger children, the argument can be postulated that Parental Alienation may be involved. This is a controversial issue with arguments presented on both sides, but cases involving child abductions where the abductor simply wanted a child, has shown how easy it is to alienate a child, from both parents. But, even teens can be alienated from a parent, or both parents. Mom Loses Custody For Alienating Dad

Ruling a 'wake-up call' for parents who use kids to punish ex-partners

See Link Below

Parental Alienation Syndrome - The Gregory Mantell Show

See Link Below

A Child's Choice: What Is The Right Age For A Child To Choose Which Parent To Live With? See link below

The main issue here is not their right in choosing to spend time with the other parent, but their right to ignore and dishonor the authority of the family court. One has to wonder how many males that ignore child support orders were raised to believe it okay to ignore any family court orders, which includes the visitation orders?

If a child, whether by choice or through the influence of a primary parent, doesn't wish to spend time with the other parent, this issue has to be first brought before the court for consideration. The child can explain to the judge, outside the presence of either parent, why they feel it's in their own best interest as to why they no longer have a need for the parental influence of the separated parent?

There are reasons for the need of two parents, but if the child(ren) are getting tired of switching homes, perhaps it's time for the parent to be doing the switching.

This is what I suggest to the kids faced with choosing which parent to live with.

As an alternative, why not ask for Joint Physical Custody Of Your Parents?

Tell them that you want to remain in a home, and each of them there for three weeks, than switch. Once night a week, the parent not in residence takes you out to dinner or some other activity. While in the home, the resident parent does not date, or have overnight guests, other than relatives.

On the off weeks, the parent rents a room, stays with relatives, their friends, or they can split the cost of a two bedroom apartment, with each having their own bedroom.

The priority here is you not having your life disrupted by their choice not to be together. Their lives are equally disrupted and they split the cost of your home.

The support amounts each parent are obligated to provide for your care can go into a TRUST FUND. From the trust fund, expenses for the home and your standard expenses, are paid.

All this follows in accordance with federal laws dating back 100 years as regards Trust Funds that have been established for guardians to draw from when parents have been killed in an accident. Also in cases involving child stars (The Coogan Act-1939) where the law is designed to prevent their parents from spending the money for their own uses.

Any money left in the account would collect interest and be available for emergencies, or special expenses, such as part of the cost of a car, or a college education.

This is called Bird Nest Custody. YOU STAY IN THE NEST WHILE THE BIRDS TAKE TURNS BEING THERE.

A Child's Choice In Custody

Bird Nest Custody

Equal Time - A Teen's Views On Joint Custody

Mom Loses Custody For Alienating Dad

Parental Alienation Syndrome - The Gregory Mantell Show

Generally, if the parents are unmarried the mother has sole custody and control in most states until the father can establish his paternity. Remember, a child's mother can always be identified by medical records. Since the father didn't give birth and he was not legally married at the time of the birth he must establish his paternity. A paternity test can be arranged through the court and once established the father can request visitations, or custody and set up a schedule of regular child support payments for the child if the mother retains physical custody.

To succeed in a petition for custody the unmarried or married father would need to provide evidence that the child would be better off in his custody because the mother is unfit. The factors used to determine that a parent is unfit are generally governed by state laws with child endangerment being the determining factor. The following include some of the reasons a parent may be declared unfit:

• physical, emotional and sexual abuse
• excessive discipline
• failure to protect the child from abuse by others
• failure to report abuse of the child
• neglect- failure to provide food, clothing, proper hygiene, necessary medical treatment, schooling
• failure to provide proper medical care
• failure to provide day to day parental care
• serious illness or disability
• mental illness
• substance abuse or addiction
• alcoholism
• criminal activity and/or associations
• incarceration
• conduct or conditions that are seriously detrimental to the child
• abandonment
• child endangerment
• leaving the child unattended or in the care and supervision of a child
• a failure to provide adequate supervision
• unsafe living conditions
• a medical condition that makes it impossible for the parent to adequately care for the child