Price v. Price

I agree with the majority that the evidence does not support a finding the children were dependent and neglected as defined by the Act. In addition to the above basis for reversal, I find further error in the cavalier manner in which the hearing was conducted.

The law in Oklahoma requires a bifurcated juvenile hearing. The first phase is an adjudicatory hearing to determine whether the allegations of a petition are supported by the evidence and whether a child should be adjudged to be a ward of the court; the second phase is that of disposition, to determine what order of disposition should be…