After any Connecticut domestic violence arrest with children present, a DCF investigation of you and your family will almost always follow. When DCF shows up at your door, it is natural to want to let them in and cooperate. The problem is that everything you and your family says to DCF can and will be used against you in criminal court.
DCF is responsible for protecting the safety of the Connecticut children. They are called to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect. This could come from a tip by a mandated reporter, like a teacher or a police officer, or it can come from an anonymous tip through DCF’s hotline. Once an investigation is started, the Department has 45 days to run their investigation and come to a determination.
While it might not be wise to talk to DCF the very first time they reach out to you, it can be very helpful to communicate with them once you have had the opportunity to speak with an attorney. Anything you say to DCF can be later used against you. DCF will be asking you a lot of questions, which can feel like an interrogation. Answering those questions blindly could lead to you saying unnecessary things, as well as hurt your chances of getting your Connecticut domestic violence arrest dismissed and expunged.
Click here for more on how to exactly handle DCF agents who come unannounced to your door.
Always. When DCF shows up at your door, you are allowed to ask them to come back after you have spoken with an attorney. The Investigator may push back and try to get you to let him or her in before speaking with an attorney, but do not let them shake you. Taking the time to talk to an attorney who has worked with DCF investigations before can give you a better understanding of what to expect, what will happen, and how to best protect yourself and your family. This way you are on a more even playing field with the investigators who spend day-in-and-day-out performing these house visits and asking these questions. When it comes to your family, there is no such thing as over-prepared.
Not without first consulting any of the top DCF investigation lawyers. While these service agreements, or safety plans, are often well-intentioned, it is important to understand that they are legally binding contracts. If you sign a plan and are not in full understanding of its contents, you run the risk of violating the agreement. Violation is a breach of contract and can lead to unwanted consequences.
Follow this link to learn exactly how to fight a DCF investigation.
A DCF investigation attorney can help you prepare how to best cooperate and protect your family’s rights when it comes to DCF investigations. See what hundreds of our former clients have to see in these certified reviews. To learn more about how a DCF defense lawyer can help you after a Connecticut DCF investigation and domestic violence arrest, reach out to the attorneys at Mark Sherman Law today. We are available 24/7.
