What Happens to Me Now? - Level III - Recommended for ages 13 through 18

Aug 26, 2026

A Colorado teens handbook explains what to expect in court processes for young people not living at home, including key roles such as attorneys, GALs, judges or magistrates, court hearings, caseworkers, and foster parents. It provides guidance on meeting with a GAL, communicating with the court, and understanding the meaning of a “case.” It also outlines why removal from the home may occur and what happens within three days after removal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

What Happens to Me Now?

Level III - Recommended for ages 13 through 18

Other Names and Phone Numbers

Notes: Names and Phone Numbers

Glossary

Why Were You Removed From Your Home?

What Happens After You Are Removed From Your Home?

State Court Administrator's Office 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80203 303-861-1111 or 800-888-0001 WHAT HAPPENS TO ME NOW? A handbook about the court process for Colorado teens who are not living at home. Level III-Recommended for ages 13 through 18 What Happens to Me Now? was written in 2003 by the following: Bradley Bittan, Attorney, Denver, CO; Barbara Bosley, Family Court Facilitator, Denver Juvenile Court, Denver CO; Debra Campeau, Office of Guardian Ad Litem, Colorado Springs, CO; Diana Coffey, State Court Administrator's Office, Denver, CO; Magistrate David Furman, Denver Juvenile Court, L.C.S.W., Denver, CO; Daniel Gallagher, Policy Analyst and Court Improvement Project Coordinator - State Court Administrator's Office, Denver, CO; Jim Hustad, Family Court Facilitator, Colorado Springs, CO; Laoise King, Denver City Attorney's Office, Denver, CO; Colene Robinson, Staff Attorney, National Association of Counsel for Children, Denver, CO; and Jan Tomski, MA, LMFT, Colorado Coalition of Adoptive Families, Denver, CO. What Happens to Me Now? Level III was illustrated by 14-year-old Denver artist Jay Scott. Jay was a former foster child and has been adopted. The project was made possible by the generous support of the Colorado State Court Administrator's Office through the Court Improvement Grant, made available through the Department of Health and Human Services -Administration for Children and Families under the provisions of Section 13712 of Subchapter C, Part 1 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993: Grants for State Courts. For additional copies or more information about the book, please call the State Court Administrator's Office at 303-861-1111 or 800-888- 0001 toll free or write to Juvenile Policy Analyst, State Court Administrator's Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80203. This publication is available online at: [http://www.courts.state.co.us/ supct/committees/](http://www.courts.state.co.us/ supct/committees/)[ ](http://www.courts.state.co.us/ supct/committees/)courtimprovecomm.htm and can be freely copied for your use. © Copyright 2003 State of Colorado Judicial Department, All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy in whole or in part if attribution made or copyright notice shown Other Names and Phone Numbers: Name: Phone Number: Name: Phone Number: Name: Phone Number: Name: Phone Number: NOTES: Names and Phone Numbers: Caseworker: Phone Number: Caseworker: Phone Number: Caseworker: Phone Number: Guardian ad Litem: Phone Number: CASA volunteer: Phone Number: Therapist: Phone Number: Judge/Magistrate: Judge/Magistrate: WHAT HAPPENS TO ME NOW? Level III-Recommended for ages 13 through 18 8. Foster Parent - Foster parents are trained and licensed adults who help young people by allowing them to live in their home until they can return home or live somewhere else. 9. GAL or Guardian ad Litem-The judge assigns a lawyer called a Guardian ad Litem to represent the best interests of all young people involved in dependency and neglect cases. You should meet with your GAL. Feel free to talk to your GAL about anything that is happening to you or bothering you. 10. Judge/Magistrate-A judge or magistrate works in the courthouse and decides what should happen to you. The judge or magistrate is in charge of your case. The judge or magistrate makes sure everyone does his or her job in your case. Judges and magistrates went to college to learn the laws and were chosen because of their ability and interest to help young people like you. These people work very hard to figure out what is in your best interests. GLOSSARY 1. Attorney/Lawyer -A person who goes to college and law school and has to pass a two or three-day test in order to be licensed to represent people in court. 2. CASA - Stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate (see CASA volunteer) . 3. CASA volunteer-A person

FAQs

What is this handbook meant to help Colorado teens understand?

It explains the court process for teens who are not living at home, including what different court roles do and what steps may occur in their case.

What is a GAL and what should you do if you have one?

A Guardian ad Litem is a lawyer assigned to represent the best interests of young people in dependency and neglect cases. You should meet with your GAL and feel free to discuss what is happening to you or what is bothering you.

What happens after you are removed from your home?

Within three days (excluding weekends and holidays), your parent or guardian is asked to appear in court. At the first hearing, the judge reviews why you were removed and decides where you will live temporarily, and lawyers may be appointed or involved.

Aug 26, 2026

Upload by Taylor Morgan