Through VINELink, a victim of crime can get notification regarding the custody status of the offender. They can select how they want to be notified, either via phone/TTY, email, text message, or app.
The custody status of an offender can also be viewed when you’re searching for an offender. Either the offender is still in custody, out of custody, or even transferred, VINELink will show it on their profile.
But sometimes, statutes like “Supervised Custody” may confuse you because they don’t directly tell you what happened to the offender. If it happens to you, you should discover what it means to know the current status of the offender.
Status Custody on VINELInk
VINELink allows users, especially crime victims, to check their status through its system. There are at least five custody statutes that will appear on VINELink. Each status actually has a different meaning that shows the latest custody status of an offender.
Keep in mind that law enforcement, lawyers, and any other entities can change the custody status of an offender through VINEWatch. And they can change it according to the latest situation.
Some custody statuses that are usually used include:
- In Custody: The status informs you that the offender is currently in custody.
- Out of Custody: This status lets you know whether the offender was deceased, escaped, or on general release.
- Supervised Custody: This status refers to a supervised situation, including visitation.
- Transferred: This status notifies you that the offender was transferred to either a federal agency, an out-of agency, or a certain agency.
- Unsupervised Custody: This status involves work release and custody status reasons.
Meaning of the “Supervised Custody” Status on VINELink
Supervised custody does not mean supervised detention in prison. But it refers to supervised visitation, where noncustodial parents are allowed to visit their children as long as their visit is supervised by a third party.
Actually, supervised visitation aims to keep the children safe and protected from possible threats and danger from their parents. This visit can also ensure that custodial parents know where their children are and what is happening, so the relationship between custodial and noncustodial parents is well-established.
During supervised custody, a third party monitors the visit, and they could be a family member, friend, or neutral third party, depending on the terms of the custody order. In arranging visits, the court will determine who has the right to visit and determine the time, location, and duration.
How Does Supervised Custody Work?
Whether or not supervised custody should be taken depends on the court. If it is necessary, the judge will order it and determine if the visit will take place in a designated facility. Well, it will be part of the parenting plan, and parents may also need to create a schedule to ensure visits go well.
In addition to allowing relatives and friends to supervise the visit, the judge may also appoint a social worker or other person eligible to accompany the child during visits with the noncustodial parent. After the visitation session ends, the supervisor returns the child to the foster parents.
How Can an Out-of-State Supervised Visitation Be Conducted?
Even though parents are divorced or separated from each other and even live in different states, supervised visitation can still be done. Every state has out-of-state custody agreements that generally grant sole physical custody to one parent (the custodial parent) and visitation rights to the other parent (the noncustodial parent).
Both parents who live separately must jointly make an out-of-state custody agreement because they are experts in their family conditions. After that, the court will grant approval if their agreement is reasonable and good for the children. However, the court will not impose excessive travel.
The following are some ways to create an out-of-state custody agreement:
- Parents must submit their own proposals regarding supervised custody to the court and let the judge decide.
- A mediator will note the agreement to help parents reach it.
- Each parent can ask for legal help to create the agreement.
- A judge can create an agreement based on the evidence heard at trial.
It’s important to note that submitting an out-of-state custody proposal can be complicated. However, the state has its own policies, which may mean your application takes a long time to be approved or may not even be accepted.
What Conditions Require Supervised Custody?
There are a few conditions under which supervised custody must be performed, including:
- Parents have committed violence against their children, either physical, sexual, or emotional.
- One parent has committed violence against the other parent, whether physical, sexual, or emotional.
- A parent has an uncontrolled mental disorder that potentially endangers their children.
- Parents engage in substance abuse.
- Parents ignore their children.
- Parents want to start a relationship with their child after being absent from the child’s life for a long time.
- There is a risk of abduction or abduction by one of the parents.
- Potentially dangerous family situation
If the non-custodial parent meets certain requirements, supervised visitation will be provided temporarily and may continue with unsupervised visits.
What Should Parents Do During Supervised Custody?
There’s no doubt that supervised custody or supervised visitation could be challenging for parents. Some may not feel comfortable when their time together with children is supervised by another. Of course, they will not be free to speak and act.
But that’s the goal. Basically, supervised visitation restricts non-custodial parents from taking excessive action to safeguard the children’s safety.
In fact, starting supervised visitation may be difficult at first for parents. But if it is carried out based on procedures, this will provide maximum results for both parents and children, as long as they’re patient and committed.
There are several things that non custodial parents have to do during supervised visitation, including:
- They must read and understand the court order first before visiting.
- They should avoid discussing court cases in front of the child.
- They must use clear and understandable language that should be interpreted. Be as specific as possible.
- They can include supervised visitation in your parenting plan.
- They must arrive and depart for visits on time.
- They should put on a cheerful face in front of their child and say goodbye when the visit is over.
If necessary, parents can ask an experienced child custody lawyer for advice regarding the custody process and what they should and shouldn’t do during supervised visitation.
On the other hand, supervised visitation can also be difficult for custodial parents because their routine becomes busier, so supervised visits can be disruptive. However, they have to support and encourage visits with noncustodial parents since it is all in their children’s best interests.
How Long Can the Parents Do Supervised Visitation?
When it comes to the duration of the supervised visitation, it will depend on some circumstances, including:
- The children’s needs.
- The parent’s work schedule.
- The availability of the third party
Make sure to request an order that will always be best for your children. The parents can ask a judge to request the order. Sure, they have to complete the court form and submit it to the court. After filling out the form, they will then get a court date to present your case to a judge.
Conclusion
Supervised custody is a custody status that may be changed through VINEWatch, one of the VINE features. This status refers to the status of someone who is undergoing supervised visits, and this is usually done by noncustodial parents to meet their children under the supervision of a third party appointed by the court.
