Whenever the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) opens an investigation based on a criminal charge for “family violence” or a third-party report of suspected child mistreatment, their investigators aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of your family’s home life. This often involves speaking not only with you and your children one-on-one but also with various individuals who interact with your children in a professional capacity.
To speak with these individuals legally, DCF will require you to sign a release granting them permission. You have the right to refuse to sign this release or any other documents presented by investigators. However, as any experienced DCF defense attorney will tell you, there are times where it is and is not advisable to sign releases. An attorney can help guide you in the right direction for you and your family and avoid negative implications.
When DCF investigators suspect that a child is being physically abused or that their basic needs are not being met, they will want to speak with the child’s doctor(s) to obtain a professional opinion on the child’s physical condition. Consequently, one of the most common releases DCF investigators ask Ridgefield parents and guardians to sign is a release allowing them to speak with pediatricians and others involved in the child’s regular medical care.
Additionally, DCF investigators often present parents with release forms to permit discussions with teachers, resource officers, and other school personnel who can provide insight into the child’s behavior and appearance on a day-to-day basis. While investigators may also wish to speak with neighbors, other family members, and clergy, they generally do not require a signed release form to do so legally.
Just as parents and guardians under DCF investigation in Ridgefield can refuse to allow investigators to speak with their children alone or enter their home, they can also refuse to sign any release form presented by an investigator. However, it is important to understand that DCF investigators are not held to the same beyond a reasonable doubt standard of proof as criminal prosecutors. Consequently, they may interpret a refusal to sign a release as evidence that the individual is trying to hide abuse or neglect.
On the other hand, signing a release form can introduce additional individuals into the case who may not be cautious about the implications of their statements, potentially complicating defense efforts later on. In most cases, it is advisable to work with qualified legal counsel to obtain medical reports and other relevant records from a child’s doctors and teachers, allowing DCF investigators to access this information without needing to approach those professionals directly.
Signing releases in a Ridgefield DCF investigation is not inherently a bad or good idea; rather, it is something that requires careful consideration of the pros and cons based on your unique circumstances. Ideally, this decision should be made with the guidance of knowledgeable legal representation.
If you have questions about how to navigate this or any other aspect of a DCF investigation, a seasoned DCF defense lawyer is here to help. Call the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today for a private consultation and click here to read our over 300 5-star reviews to learn more about what it’s like to work with us.
