Section 659 – Time for adjudication hearing

May 13, 2021 | Family Law, Louisiana

A. If the child is in continued custody pursuant to Article 627, the adjudication hearing shall commence within forty-five days of the filing of the petition. If the child is not continued in custody, the adjudication hearing shall commence within one hundred five days of the filing of the petition.
B. After notice to the opposing party and upon a showing of good cause, the court may grant, deny, or condition a requested continuance of the proceeding in extraordinary circumstances. The hearing may be continued for up to five additional days. If a continuance is granted, the court shall issue a written order identifying the mover and reciting the particular facts justifying the continuance.
C. If the hearing has not been commenced timely, upon motion of the child, the court shall release a child continued in custody and may dismiss the petition.

La. Ch.C. § 659

Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.