The Family Court Unit handles child protection and delinquency matters before the Circuit Court Family Division, and its referee. This includes felony and misdemeanor offenses, as well as status offenses like truancy, being a runaway, and being an incorrigible youth. The Family Court APAs assist the Eaton Regional Education Service Agency office with truancy matters that require formal court intervention.
In child protection matters, the Family Court APAs acts as the lawyer for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at all stages of civil child protective proceedings. These proceedings protect both children and families from abuse and neglect. Petitions may seek to terminate parental rights where the abuse or neglect is serious and/or longstanding.
APAs in the Family Court Unit also attend Probate Court proceedings for involuntary mental health hospitalization.