CRA/CPCS

A CRA case is one where parents, guardians, or school officials ask the court to help supervise a child. A Child Requiring Assistance court case is started by filing an Application for a Child Requiring Assistance. A parent, legal guardian, or custodian with custody of the child may file an application stating that the child is:

• a runaway who repeatedly runs away from the home of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian
• a stubborn child who fails to obey the lawful and reasonable commands of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian which interferes with his or her ability to care for the child
• a person who represents the school district where your child attends can file an application stating that your child is a:
  • habitual truant who fails to attend school for more than 8 days in a quarter without a proper excuse
  • habitual school offender who fails to obey the lawful and reasonable commands of the school

Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) provides legal representation in Massachusetts for those unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel. This includes representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction matters.

These cases require additional time and funds over and above the cost for private cases. The following is a list of evaluations that we provide and their fees: