what kind of lawyer works with dcfs?

by Colin Sipes V 10 min read

State's attorneys are the county's official prosecutors. However, the law allows any adult to file a petition. The DCFS lawyer helps arrange for DCFS responses to issues about services and visits. There will also be a lawyer and guardian ad litem ("GAL") for the child.

According to California law, your family will be assigned an attorney before a dependency hearing. In LA, these attorneys are from a group called Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers or LADL. These lawyers are well-trained, but often overworked.

Full Answer

Who is the DCFS attorney in Long Beach CA?

Mar 01, 2022 · Since fighting a DCFS investigation is a skill-oriented job, you are going to need an know kin police lawyer who not only has referred to DCFS cases in the past, but is besides compassionate, and understands the importance of the indigence to communicate efficaciously during the DCFS proceedings.

Why hire our DCFS lawyers?

DCFS Lawyer Handling Administrative Appeals & Investigations. At Thomas W. Hunter, P.C., we are prepared to represent your interests as a parent in disputes involving the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). While DCFS does an important work protecting children in abusive environments, we help to ensure that the wrongfully accused parents are provided a fair …

Can a child dependency attorney stop DCFS from taking my kids?

Child Dependency Attorneys – Private DCFS CPS Defense Lawyers. Experienced Child Dependency attorneys can make ALL the difference in you stopping DCFS CPS from taking your kids (if you are under investigation), or can help get your children back if taken already. To depend upon an overworked, court-appointed lawyer is tantamount to admitting defeat.

What do most CPS and DCFS social workers abhor?

Jul 09, 2013 · Family Law Attorney in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Reveal number Private message Posted on Jul 13, 2013 I do both personal injury and family law and have familiarity with DCFS, first you must file a claim within six months of the incident and secondly make sure you have a valid claim as the workers will circle the wagons to protect themselves.

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How do I fight DCFS in Illinois?

How To Fight Your DCFS Case? We can help you fight and WIN! The case will go to an administrative hearing, followed by a recommendation on a potential termination of parental rights. The appeal can go through the circuit court all the way to the appellate court.

Who investigates DCFS in Illinois?

The OIG investigates deaths and serious injuries of all Illinois children who were involved in the child welfare system in the preceding 12 months. The Inspector General is an ex officio member of the Child Death Review Team Executive Council. OIG investigative reports are submitted to the director of DCFS.

Can you sue DCFS in Illinois?

DCFS may be liable in the event a child for which it is responsible is injured or dies. The attorneys of Hale & Monico fight to hold DCFS accountable and demand the justice that children deserve.

Can I sue DCFS CA?

Unless it is clear that civil rights have been violated, one likely cannot obtain a legal claim against the agency, no matter how distressing their routine processes are. However, if civil rights have been clearly violated, individuals can sue Child Protective Services in California.Jun 9, 2021

How do I report a caseworker to DCFS in Illinois?

Anything a parent says to DCFS can be used against him or her by the police. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call (800) 25-ABUSE (252-2873). You can also call DCFS Info and Assistance at (800) 232-3798 / (217) 524-2029.

What happens during an IG investigation?

A: OIG investigates a variety of matters, including allegations of fraud involving Commerce Department grants and contracts; improprieties in the administration of Department programs and operations; allegations of employee misconduct; and other issues concerning ethics and compliance received through OIG's hotline.

What do you do if someone files a false DCF report in Illinois?

DCFS may then directly report the knowing transmission of a false report to the State's Attorney of your County for subsequent prosecution. If DCFS does not report the crime, you can contact your local police and/or State's Attorney to report the crime.Sep 16, 2021

What is an unfit parent in Illinois?

An unfit parent is typically defined as a parent who does not have the child's best interests at heart. In Illinois, parental rights can only be terminated through a juvenile case initiated by the state or in conjunction with the Adoption Act.Feb 4, 2020

What can you sue social services for?

Read on to find out about the process of suing social services....What can be claimed for in claims against social services?The physical pain and suffering experienced.The emotional pain and suffering experienced.Loss of earnings.Medical bills.Counselling expenses.Care claim.Any other costs associated with your suffering.Feb 1, 2022

Can you sue social services for negligence?

While Social Services are expected to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, there are times when they have failed in their duty of care. If you feel that you have suffered traumatic consequences because of their negligence, you may have a right to pursue a claim against Social Services for compensation.

What are my rights against CPS in California?

Parents and guardians have the right to deny any allegations made by CPS. Parents always have the right to an attorney throughout the entire process, including a court-appointed one if a family cannot afford one on their own. Parents also have the right to attend all court hearings pertaining to their case.Jun 6, 2021

Los Angeles DCFS Funding

In Los Angeles County, LA DCFS or CPS has around a $1.8 billion dollar budget. At any given moment, around 35,000 children are being supervised by...

How CPS Locates Your Family

Each year, Los Angeles DCFS gets about 160,000 referrals a year for child abuse and neglect on their child abuse hotline. These referrals come from...

CPS Investigation Before Filing in Court

While investigating a referral, a social worker will interview you, your children, neighbors, friends, police officers, teachers, and many others t...

Social Workers and Services/Classes

At the core of the dependency court system is the solution to every case is that a parent attends classes or services to fix the reasons why they w...

Child Dependency Attorneys – Private DCFS CPS Defense Lawyers

Experienced Child Dependency attorneys can make ALL the difference in you stopping DCFS CPS from taking your kids (if you are under investigation), or can help get your children back if taken already. To depend upon an overworked, court-appointed lawyer is tantamount to admitting defeat.

Meet our Founder and His Associate Juvenile Dependency Attorneys

There is no one more passionate and involved in DCFS, CPS, Juvenile Dependency cases in California than Vincent W. Davis and his crew of dedicated and focused, like-thinking associate attorneys.

Vincent W Davis Esq

Mr. Davis obtained is Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School of Southern California.

Carol A. Baidas Esq

Carol A. Baidas graduated from University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1986. Ms. Baidas received her Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University , Claude W. Petit School of Law in 1989. Ms.

Stephanie M Davis, Esq

State Bar of California, 1987#N#U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1987#N#U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 1987#N#U.S. Supreme Court, 1997

Slaveia Iankoulova, Esq

Slaveia Iankoulova graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in Human Rights in 2005. In 2009, Ms. Iankoulova received her Juris Doctorate from Western State University, College of Law in Fullerton, California. Ms.

Samuel Ziselman, Esq

When you talk to me, Vincent W. Davis, you can be sure of one thing, that I am listening. Child Protective Services (CPS or DCFS) and your accusers have their story, and it is our job to make sure that your story is heard and we keep your family together.

Herb Fox

DCFS has a large but not unlimited scope of immunity from being sued. If you really can prove that the worker intentionally lied - and that means something more than your disagreement with her conclusions - you should consult a personal injury attorney immediately. You time to file a claim is extremely short...

Stephen Ross Cohen

I do both personal injury and family law and have familiarity with DCFS, first you must file a claim within six months of the incident and secondly make sure you have a valid claim as the workers will circle the wagons to protect themselves. As a trial lawyer I can tell you whether I think your proof is sufficient or not...

What is DCFS in foster care?

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or Child Protective Services (CPS) alleges that a parent’s conduct places a child at risk of abuse or neglect. Fighting DCFS to get your children out of foster care is battle too many parents are losing. The system in Los Angeles County is too overwhelmed to give families the time and attention that they deserve. The information that parents need to save their families is often never clearly communicated to them. Children are shuffled from foster home to foster home and social workers neglect to work their cases due to high caseloads and all other sorts of excuses. The frustration and emotion drive parents over the edge.

How much money does LA DCFS have?

In Los Angeles County, LA DCFS or CPS has around a $1.8 billion dollar budget. At any given moment, around 35,000 children are being supervised by LA DCFS. LA DCFS funding comes from the state and federal government like clockwork for the number of kids in foster care. DCFS main goal is to prevent a child from being hurt while under their supervision or investigation. This is the unfortunate reason why so many kids get brought into the foster system. With big budgets and pockets comes great liability. DCFS makes decisions often not based on what is best for a minor, but what type of liability DCFS and the county would face based on the facts if the child was further abused or neglect by their parents.

What is dependency court?

At the core of the dependency court system is the solution to every case is that a parent attends classes or services to fix the reasons why they were brought to court. Types of services include parenting class, domestic violence group for perpetrators 52 weeks, substance abuse course, and individual therapy.

What is a CPS investigation?

CPS Investigation Before Filing in Court. While investigating a referral, a social worker will interview you, your children, neighbors, friends, police officers, teachers, and many others to determine if abuse or neglect is occurring. It is important to treat social workers with courtesy.

What is DCFS lawyer?

The DCFS lawyer helps arrange for DCFS responses to issues about services and visits. There will also be a lawyer and guardian ad litem ("GAL") for the child. This can be two separate people, but most times both roles are played by the same person. They are involved in all matters regarding the case.

What does DCFS do?

If necessary , DCFS engages the State's Attorney to request a petition to bring the family before a judge. In other cases, DCFS has already determined they need court involvement. They take the child from the parents without any prior agreement.

What is the Department of Children and Family Services?

The Department of Children and Family Services is also called DCFS. Cases from DCFS are sometimes sent to Juvenile Court. DCFS cases go to Juvenile Court for two main reasons:

How long does a child have to be in protective custody?

DCFS has to get a court order allowing it to keep your child within 48 hours of taking your child from you. This 48 hour period does not include holidays or weekends.

How does a juvenile court case impact the outcome of a case?

In juvenile court cases, your actions before and after the court case impact the outcome of the case. Your actions can make a big difference in the outcome. You almost certainly will be ordered to have assessments and services. These are used to establish your ability to care for the child safely. Your level of cooperation will be judged, even if you are claiming you did not abuse or neglect the child. Sometimes you may face hard decisions about the steps you need to agree to take to have your child returned.

Do parents want to have their children returned to them?

Most parents who have juvenile court cases want to have their children returned to them as soon as possible. Sometimes, parents are not asking for custody for themselves. They want to make sure another parent who is abusive does not gain custody. Some parents want to assert that they did not abuse or neglect the child.

Do juvenile court cases have different stages?

The simple answer is Yes.#N#Ju venile court cases have different stages. Different evidence is considered in each stage. This makes it essential to have a lawyer during the court case. Cases involving DCFS are often very different than other types of cases. Hearings in these cases have different names and many unique rules. An experienced lawyer can help you sort out what you want to accomplish. They can help decide how to get to that point. Most court-appointed lawyers have experience and training in understanding the different stages. They can also advise you on how to put your best foot forward.

What does a CPS social worker do?

Just like a police detective intent on hauling you to the police station for questioning would love for you to willingly invite them into your home, a CPS social worker who is openly or secretly intent on taking your children from you WILL FIND SOMETHING IN YOUR HOME TO JUSTIFY THE REMOVAL OF YOUR KIDS.

Why would you buckle to the pressure of a CPS agent’s demands to have you admit to false accusations?

If you are innocent of neglect or abuse why would you buckle to the pressure of a CPS agent’s demands to have you admit to false accusations? If you are accused or charged with neglect because someone has informed the county CPS system that you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, the social worker who is investigating those accusations may have good-reason to be concerned for your kids’ safety.

What happens if you don't talk to the police?

If you don’t talk to them –just as you are always told to never voluntarily talk with the police if they are accusing you of a crime– you take their power away. They will not be able to use your own admissions, statements, and your very words against you.

What happens when a government investigator knocks on your door?

As government is getting bigger and bigger every year they are getting more and more powerful and intrusive in the lives of ordinary citizen s. We are all a bit nervous and threatened by the power of the state as we witness weekly examples of government power wielded unfairly on Investigative TV News programs and in the lives of our own families and friends.

Can you record what a child said or did not say?

Subjective reports of what a child said or did not say is hardly ever adequate. Ask that any interrogation be recorded. You could produce your own recorder (as a back-up) just in case the CPS or DCFS investigator “loses” their tape between the interrogation and a subsequent court hearing where you might have “wished” that you had such a tape.

Can a CPS take your kids?

In criminal law it is ALWAYS strongly suggested that you talk to NO ONE but your attorney. Think about it. Virtually ALL CHARGES that CPS or DCFS levels against you are CRIMINAL CHARGES. And while CPS or DCFS is there ONLY to take your kids, the police can and often will show up later for the parents! In fact, open your mouth and tell the CPS investigator just enough to “make their case” and you can start packing an overnight case as the police will be called by CPS who will be at your door to take you away.

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