Children and the law in a nutshell

This Nutshell follows the structure and format of the authors' casebook--Children and the Law: Doctrine, Policy and Practice. The authors have devoted entire chapters to the meaning of "parent," abuse and neglect, the foster care system, adoption, medical decision-making, support and other financial responsibilities, protective legislation, and delinquency. Representation of children is covered throughout the book. Also treated for comparative purposes are several relevant international law issues, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, international child labor, and U.S. tobacco exports to children overseas.

The status, rights, and obligations of children -- Defining the child-parent relationship -- Child abuse and neglect -- Foster care -- Criminal abuse and neglect -- Adoption -- Medical decision-making -- Financial responsibility and control -- Regulation of children's conduct -- Delinquency.