NORTH CAROLINA
GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM
28TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - BUNCOMBE COUNTY
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The Voice of a Child in Court
A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the "Best Interests" of a child who is involved in court proceedings as a result of having been abused or neglected. The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case and makes recommendations to the court.
The Guardian ad Litem is the "voice of the child". The term Guardian ad Litem means "guardian for the case". Therefore, a GAL is not a foster parent, legal guardian, or expected to provide a home for the child. The volunteer GAL is paired with an Attorney Advocate who is appointed to represent the legal interests of the child and attends court with the GAL.
The Guardian ad Litem Program is a State Agency managed under the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The 28th Judicial District encompasses Buncombe County.
July 1 2008 - June 30 2009:
We served a total of 336 children in 209 family groups.
We opened 219 new children cases in 144 family groups.
We closed 223 children's cases in 136 family groups.
We participated in 1762 hearings involving 2934 children.
We trained and swore in 32 new Guardian ad Litem volunteers.
As of June 30 2009, we have 161 Guardian ad Litem volunteers - but we need your help.
If you are interested in speaking for the most vulnerable children in Buncombe County, please contact the GAL office at (828) 251-6130 or e-mail us at info@galbuncombe.org.
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(National Court Appointed |
Guardian ad Litem Program
31 College Place, Suite D 204
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
828-251-6130