Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 9:6-8.24

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Parent: as used in this chapter , shall include the stepfather and stepmother and the adoptive or resource family parent. See New Jersey Statutes 9:6-2
4. Jurisdiction. a. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part has exclusive original jurisdiction over noncriminal proceedings under this act alleging the abuse or neglect of a child.

b. In determining the jurisdiction of the court under this act, the age of the child at the time the proceedings are initiated is controlling.

c. In determining the jurisdiction of the court under this act, the child need not be currently in the care or custody of his parent or guardian, as defined herein.

d. If the matter in regard to the parent or guardian is referred to the county prosecutor by the Family Part or otherwise the Family Part may continue the proceeding under this act in regard to the child after such referral. If the proceeding in regard to the child is continued, the Family Part shall enter any preliminary order necessary to protect the interests of the child pending a final order from the criminal courts.

e. Any hearing held before the Family Part may serve as a permanency hearing to provide judicial review and approval of a permanency plan for the child if all the requirements of section 50 of P.L.1999, c.53 (C. 30:4C-61.2) are met.

L.1974,c.119,s.4; amended 1977, c.209, s.3; 1991, c.91, s.200; 1999, c.53, s.7.