It is inevitable that a Children’s Advocacy Center’s involvement with children who are suspected victims of child abuse will involve legal matters. A thorough understanding of the legal issues that routinely arise and that affect CACs and their ability to provide services cannot be fully understood and appreciated without legal counsel. There are legal issues triggered by the simple act of a CAC opening a file. As the case progresses, the legal issues often expand exponentially. Ultimately, decisions made that affect the health, welfare and future of a child will be decided in a courtroom or other legal processes leading up to the courtroom. This is the third edition of “Legal Letters” written by Andrew Agatston to CACs as part of his national “Legal Eagle” List Serv. It follows his 2010 book, “The Legal Eagles Guide for Children’s Advocacy Centers: Soaring Confidently in the Courtroom,” and his 2009 book, “The Legal Eagles Guide for Children’s Advocacy Center: A Lawyer’s Guide to Soaring in the Courtroom. The “Legal Eagles” List Serv is now in its 7th year, and has more than 900 subscribers in 48 states and two Indian Territories.
