Citation Numbers: 2000 Conn. Super. Ct. 8367, 27 Conn. L. Rptr. 500
Judges: LOPEZ, JUDGE.
Filed Date: 7/14/2000
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/18/2021
The court will, however, address the substance of the respondent's motion despite its inadequacies. The court presumes that the respondent meant to make her argument pursuant to General Statutes §
At the January 21, 2000 hearing, the court stated: "There are other means and I am instructing our probation department at this time to file a family with service needs petition. There is a law that says minors cannot be defiant of school rules and it is this court's opinion that the behavior that is exemplified here is . . . a defiance of school rules. Therefore, you will be served with a summons for defiance. The case will be treated as a family with service needs petition for which you also have a right for a trial. The standard of proof is lower. It is clear and convincing. Once the state has proven by clear and convincing evidence, which I have no doubt the state can do, prove that you have been defiant of school rules, they will then proceed accordingly. What the court can do, is either commit you to the custody of the department of children and families or put you on supervision for a period of time with the court's probation department."
In its final remarks, the court stated: "I am instructing the probation department to file a petition for family with service needs petition because the behavior that was exhibited on March 24th is cause for defiance of school rules. I do not believe that she should be prosecuted for criminal trespass. I am also ordering the parents to cooperate with the child's education."
The respondent erroneously contends that the court somehow brought a family with service needs complaint in the present case. The court did not do so. The court merely stated that it would instruct the department to file a complaint. The court did not order the department of probation to file such a complaint. The word "instruct" means: "to give special knowledge or information to . . ." Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1961). The word "order" means: "A mandate; precept; command or direction authoritatively given; rule or regulation. . . . Direction of a court or judge made or entered in writing, and not included in a judgment." Black's Law Dictionary (5th Ed. 1979). Here, the department of probation filed the petition. Although the court discussed what would happen when and if such a complaint was brought, the Court did not bring the action. Indeed, §
Here, the probation department, not the court, brought the complaint for family with service needs. Accordingly, the court concludes that a proper party brought the complaint in. the present case. Further, insofar as the respondent alleges that the court determined that her family was one with service needs, the court finds that contention to be without merit. The court made no findings as to the respondent's family. Indeed, at the time of the January 21, 2000 hearing, a complaint was not before the court. The court merely advised the respondent about the procedure in a family with service needs case. Those words were explanatory, not adjudicatory. Thus, for the foregoing reasons, the court denies the respondent's motion to dismiss the family with service needs complaint.
___________________, J. CARMEN L. LOPEZ