{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "fca", "section": "249", "citation": "FCA § 249", "heading": "Appointment of attorney for child", "text": ["§ 249. Appointment of attorney for child. * (a) In a proceeding under article three, seven, ten, ten-A or ten-C of this act or where a revocation of an adoption consent is opposed under section one hundred fifteen-b of the domestic relations law or in any proceeding under section three hundred fifty-eight-a, three hundred eighty-three-c, three hundred eighty-four or three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law or when a minor is sought to be placed in protective custody under section one hundred fifty-eight of this act or in any proceeding where a minor is detained under or governed by the interstate compact for juveniles established pursuant to section five hundred one-e of the executive law, the family court shall appoint an attorney to represent a minor who is the subject of the proceeding or who is sought to be placed in protective custody, if independent legal representation is not available to such minor. In any proceeding to extend or continue the placement of a juvenile delinquent or person in need of supervision pursuant to section seven hundred fifty-six or 353.3 of this act or any proceeding to extend or continue a commitment to the custody of the commissioner of mental health or the commissioner of people with developmental disabilities pursuant to section 322.2 of this act, the court shall not permit the respondent to waive the right to be represented by counsel chosen by the respondent, respondent's parent, or other person legally responsible for the respondent's care, or by assigned counsel. In any proceeding under article ten-B of this act, the family court shall appoint an attorney to represent a youth, under the age of twenty-one, who is the subject of the proceeding, if independent legal representation is not available to such youth. In any other proceeding in which the court has jurisdiction, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the child, when, in the opinion of the family court judge, such representation will serve the purposes of this act, if independent legal counsel is not available to the child. The family court on its own motion may make such appointment.", "* NB Effective until September 1, 2030", "* (a) In a proceeding under article three, seven, ten, ten-A or ten-C of this act or where a revocation of an adoption consent is opposed under section one hundred fifteen-b of the domestic relations law or in any proceeding under section three hundred fifty-eight-a, three hundred eighty-three-c, three hundred eighty-four or three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law or when a minor is sought to be placed in protective custody under section one hundred fifty-eight of this act, the family court shall appoint an attorney to represent a minor who is the subject of the proceeding or who is sought to be placed in protective custody, if independent legal representation is not available to such minor. In any proceeding to extend or continue the placement of a juvenile delinquent or person in need of supervision pursuant to section seven hundred fifty-six or 353.3 of this act or any proceeding to extend or continue a commitment to the custody of the commissioner of mental health or the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities pursuant to section 322.2 of this act, the court shall not permit the respondent to waive the right to be represented by counsel chosen by the respondent, respondent's parent, or other person legally responsible for the respondent's care, or by assigned counsel. In any proceeding under article ten-B of this act, the family court shall appoint an attorney to represent a youth, under the age of twenty-one, who is the subject of the proceeding, if independent legal representation is not available to such youth. In any other proceeding in which the court has jurisdiction, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the child, when, in the opinion of the family court judge, such representation will serve the purposes of this act, if independent legal counsel is not available to the child. The family court on its own motion may make such appointment.", "* NB Effective September 1, 2030", "(b) In making an appointment of an attorney for a child pursuant to this section, the court shall, to the extent practicable and appropriate, appoint the same attorney who has previously represented the child.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in a proceeding under article three of this act following an order of removal made pursuant to article seven hundred twenty-five of the criminal procedure law, the court shall, wherever practicable, appoint the same counsel who represented the juvenile offender in the criminal proceedings.", "(c) In any proceeding under subdivision eleven of section 355.5 of this act, subdivision (j) of section seven hundred fifty-six-a of this act, section one thousand fifteen-a of this act, subdivision (d) of section one thousand eighty-eight of this act, clause (C-1) of subparagraph (viii) of paragraph two of subdivision (d) of section one thousand eighty-nine of this act, and/or paragraph (c) of subdivision two-a of section three hundred fifty-eight-a of the social services law, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent a youth who was formerly in foster care and is seeking to enforce an order made on their behalf before their twenty-first birthday while they were still in foster care, if independent legal representation is not available to such youth. Such representation shall continue for all further proceedings thereon, including all motions and any related appeals."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/FCT/249", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "**(a)** The court **shall appoint** an AFC for a minor who is the subject (or sought for protective custody) in proceedings under **Articles 3, 7, 10, 10-A, or 10-C**, opposed adoption-consent revocations (DRL § 115-b), certain **Social Services Law** proceedings (§§ 358-a, 383-c, 384, 384-b), protective custody (§ 158), or interstate-compact-for-juveniles matters — **if independent counsel isn't available.** ★ In proceedings to **extend placement/commitment** of a delinquent/PINS (§§ 756, 353.3, 322.2), the court **may not let the respondent waive counsel.** ★ In **Article 10-B** cases, appoint counsel for a youth **under 21.** In **any other** proceeding, the court **may** appoint if it serves the Act's purposes. *(Two versions in the text differ only by the interstate-compact language, effective before/after Sept 1, 2030.)*\n**(b)** Where practicable, **appoint the same attorney who previously represented the child**; after an Article 3 removal (CPL Art. 725), appoint the **same counsel** from the criminal case where practicable. ★\n**(c)** Appoint an AFC for a **former foster youth** (under 21) seeking to enforce an order made before their 21st birthday, if independent counsel isn't available; representation continues through motions and appeals.", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/fca/249", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}