Section 77-N. Role of prosecutor or public official  


Latest version.
  • 1. In a case arising
      under this article or  involving  the  Hague  Convention  on  the  Civil
      Aspects  of  International  Child  Abduction,  the  prosecutor  or other
      appropriate public official may take any lawful action, including resort
      to a proceeding under this title or any other available civil proceeding
      to locate a child, obtain the return of a  child,  or  enforce  a  child
      custody determination if there is:
        (a) an existing child custody determination;
        (b)  a  request  to  do  so  from  a  court in a pending child custody
      proceeding;
        (c) a reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or
        (d) a reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed  or
      retained  in  violation  of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
      International Child Abduction.
        2. A prosecutor or  appropriate  public  official  acting  under  this
      section  acts  on behalf of the state or local government entity and may
      not represent any private party.