Going to court requires preparatory work on the part of the parents, including a log showing what has been attempted in the way of help for the child and the past behavior of the child. The following are suggestions for a letter to the judge (copy to Assistant District Attorney and Public Defender).

Judge_______________________
Juvenile Court_____________________________
County_____________________________

Dear Judge________________________:We wish to provide you with the relevant background information which has lead to_______________________________(event) of our son/daughter, _____________________________(name) . This letter expresses our concern for our child and requests assistance from the court, which will help our son/daughter to obtain ______________________________________(request).

DESCRIPTION OF BEHAVIOR
(Give objective, brief and documented description of behavior that your child has exhibited) Examples: Has demonstrated increasingly defiant behavior such as: Has run away from home on the following occasions. Does not obey curfew and stays out all night. Is failing all courses, cuts school, has been expelled, etc.Takes or sells drugs and alcohol. Has been violent towards others or me. Has stolen money or other objects from others or me. Has refused to obey simple requests to do chores. Has destroyed personal property. Any other pertinent item. Be sure to include dates and details.

PREVIOUS EFFORTS TAKEN TO ASSIST
During the past ___________ (number) years I have taken the following steps to assist my son/daughter: (for example) Had child tested? (Where, when, why, how long, results)Sent to counseling. (Where, when, why, how long, results) Sent to special school or class. (Where, when, why, how long) Sent for tutoring. (Where, when, why, how long, results) Had placed in foster home. (Where, when, how long, results)Had placed in youth group home. (Where, when, how long, results) Parents when to counseling. (Where, when, how long, results) Parents joined support group. (Where, when, results) Had substance abuse evaluation done on child? (Where, when, why, results) Any other steps taken to correct the situation.

PETITION TO THE COURT
None of the steps taken to date have changed the course of our child's life. We feel that much of his/her problems stem from (explain) our financial and emotional resources are exhausted. We love our child and desire that s/he become functioning loving member of our family again. Consequently we petition the court to: (State request here. i.e.: Place in foster home, make dependent or ward of court, send for therapy to drug/alcohol rehab, go to outpatient counseling, etc.) (Don't specify a specific case unless there is a specific reason). This is a request, not a demand.