26-8A-9. Investigation of oral report--Other action permitted--Appointment of attorney--Compensation. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to § 26-8A-8, the Department of Social Services or law enforcement officers shall investigate. Investigating personnel may personally interview a child out of the presence of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian without advance notice or consent. The investigation does not prohibit any other lawful action. If the investigation and report indicate that child abuse or neglect has occurred, the state's attorney shall take appropriate action immediately. The court may appoint an attorney, guardian ad litem, or special advocate to assist in representing the best interests of the child. Any such appointment shall occur in the manner the county in which the action is being conducted has chosen to provide indigent counsel under § 23A-40-7. Compensation and expense allowances for the child's attorney, guardian ad litem, or special advocate shall be determined and paid according to § 26-7A-31.
Source: SL 1973, ch 172, § 3; SL 1975, ch 179, § 4; SL 1980, ch 192, § 2; SL 1984, ch 192, § 7; SL 1985, ch 214, § 1; SL 1991, ch 217, § 118B; SDCL Supp, § 26-10-12.1; SL 2010, ch 139, § 2.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.