Children and the Law in Texas: What Parents Should Know [Paperback]

Ramona Freeman John (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1999 | ISBN-10: 0292740514 | ISBN-13: 978-0292740518 | Edition: 1st

Can a girl get an abortion in Texas without her parent's consent? Are parents liable for damages when their teenager crashes the family car into a neighbor's Mercedes? What happens when grandparents help a noncustodial parent hide a child from the parent with legal custody? Ramona John tells it like it is in this non-lawyer's guide to all areas of Texas law affecting children. Using layman's language and a quick-reference, question-and-answer format, she offers expert advice about dealing with lawyers and judges and about using the law to protect and serve children. Texas parents, grandparents, teachers, and health care and social service providers will find this an authoritative guide to their legal rights and responsibilities regarding children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; 1st edition (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292740514
• ISBN-13: 978-0292740518
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,643,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A good start, but, not quite enough..., March 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Children and the Law in Texas: What Parents Should Know (Hardcover)

I know this book is about child's laws, but, I find it hopelessly flawed when it comes to parental rights and how to protect your rights. If a parent loses their rights, it affects the children. I think there should be a chapter on how to protect yourself during a CPS investigation. The author doesn't really acknowledge that CPS is sometimes wrong and sometimes show a blatant disregard to the rights of the parents and the child. Those issued should be addressed. However, it does seem to cover the judicial process pretty well. Has some good information in all other areas. I think for the price there should be more. I would NOT make this the only book in your library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable!, October 6, 1999

By 

Sandra Worth (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children and the Law in Texas: What Parents Should Know (Paperback)

I found Ramona John's book informative and invaluable. It is a handy reference for anyone contemplating divorce or concerned about custody, abuse, or parental rights since it covers all aspects of problems likely to be encountered. Concisely and clearly, she explains, among other things, parental rights and duties, getting an attorney for your child, what to expect in a courtroom, how to make a favorable impression on a judge or jury, how paternity is established, adoption is decided, when parental rights can be terminated, and when abuse can be suspected. Disabled children and their special needs are also considered. Although it is written for Texans, I believe this information is probably applicable nationwide. Adults can gain insights and find understanding about themselves in the section covering the effects of abandonment and neglect. I highly recommend this book to anyone faced with the predicament of divorce or concerned with abuse of a child.

5.0 out of 5 stars The nightmares of every parent are dealt with in this book., September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Children and the Law in Texas: What Parents Should Know (Hardcover)

Lucky is the parent who can raise a child in today's world without at least one brush with the law. Even if your child never commits a crime, with two out of three marriages ending in divorce, there are issues of custody and child support that must be legally resolved. What if your child runs away from home or is caught dealing drugs? What if you are deemed an abusive or negligent parent and the law steps in to remove your child from the home? When your child is in trouble, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to talk to a personal friend who just happens to be a retired juvenile court judge? Not many of us have a friend like that, but the next best thing is Ramona John's book "Children and the Law in Texas -- What Parents Should Know." In a non-threatening, conversational tone, John helps the reader understand the nuances of the juvenile justice system. "Get comfortable, this will take a while," she advises before answering a particularly knotty question on paternity. Personal observations and anecdotes are a helpful reminder that even judges are human. Some, like John, are warm and human. The question-and-answer format makes it easy for parents to concentrate on the subject matter even when they may be under stress because of their child's circumstances. The chapter "Keeping Your Child out of Trouble" is worth the price of the book even if you don't live in Texas. Reading it could prevent that dreaded brush with the law that is every parent's nightmare. The best parents may know the guidelines of parental behavior intuitively, but for the rest of us, John's list is a succinct reminder and a starting point for discussion. While good parents teach their children they are responsible for their own acts, that, unfortunately, is not the case where illegal acts by minors are concerned. The question of whether and to what extent parents can be held responsible for their children's acts was thrust into the national conscience by the Columbine school shootings. By giving you an idea of what the law says about parent/child relationships and responsibilities, the book could save you time and money when you need to consult a lawyer. The book will be an eye-opener if you don't know the answers to questions like these: Can a child have more than one presumed biological father? If you face a situation where you must hire an attorney for your child, do you have the right to be present every time your child speaks to the attorney? Do you know the difference between Teen Court and juvenile court? After reading John's book, one can only wish that she could be the designated "explainer" in charge of re-writing the juvenile justice and family codes all over America so they can be understood by ordinary people. After that, she could tackle the federal tax code.