If a Juvenile Summons for abused or neglected children remains unserved for 30 days, what should happen to it?

When a Juvenile Summons for abused or neglected children remains unserved for 30 days, the correct course of action is to return it to the issuing clerk. This procedure ensures that the administrative and judicial processes related to the child's welfare are maintained appropriately.

The rationale behind this is that timely service is crucial in such sensitive cases involving minors. If the summons is not served within the specified timeframe, it reflects that immediate action may not be feasible, and the matter should be properly reviewed by the clerk who issued it. By returning the document, the court system can reassess the situation, determine if further action is necessary, or if new steps should be initiated to ensure the safety and well-being of the child involved.

Other options suggest actions that do not align with the standard procedure governing juvenile summons. Reinvoicing or leaving it valid indefinitely does not account for the necessity of reviewing cases that have not progressed as expected, while permanent dismissal might imply a more definitive closure that is not suitable given the ongoing concerns regarding the welfare of the child. The requirement to return the unserved summons allows for proper administrative oversight in these critical cases.