Full Answer
Our attorneys, paralegals, and social workers assist parents to navigate DHS investigations, resolve disputes with DHS, and offer legal advice before a parent is taken to court and are appointed a lawyer. See below for the hotline number and hours.
There are no lawyers working for this website and I cannot give referrals. FightCPS isn’t an organization – it is just a website run by one person. If you’re already involved in a CPS case you may already have a court appointed attorney.
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.
That is one of those subjective areas that caseworkers in different areas of the country will handle differently. You might get some good advice from contacting a local attorney who deals with CPS. Linda, thank you for the work you do. Please take a look at the site we are building.
Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.
In Texas, a Child Protective Service case may be dismissed should the judge deem there to be a lack of evidence to warrant such an investigation or indictment, or if CPS is satisfied that certain circumstances are met.
What are my rights? You have the right to talk to your CPS caseworker. Communications with the caseworker are not confidential and anything you say can be used in court. If CPS has filed a lawsuit against you to take your children, you have the right to a court-appointed attorney if you cannot afford an attorney.
CPS cannot enter your home without your permission. Unless CPS has a court order, or they believe your child is in immediate danger, they can't enter your home unless you say it's okay. If a CPS social worker comes to your home for a visit and you're unprepared, simply tell them that it's not the best time.
Telephone: Call (800) 720-7777, Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Online Form: Send your questions or complaints online with our Case-Specific Question and Complaint Form. Printable Form: Fill out and send the DFPS Case Complaint FormPDF Document by email attachment, fax, or standard mail.
Unfortunately, unless your civil rights are violated, you likely won't have any legal claim against Child Protective Services. Typically cases don't come out of the agency's day-to-day processes or its representative's routine actions. So, you likely won't be able to sue for emotional distress.
You can hire a lawyer on your own if you can afford to pay one. That is the best-case scenario. A court-appointed attorney can be made available to you, but only in the later stages of your case and only if you can prove yourself indigent.
If the Department of Child Safety received a report before September 1, 1999, and determined that the report was substantiated, the department shall maintain the report in the central registry until 18 years from the child victim's date of birth.
Can social services take my child away? Social services will usually only take a child away from their parents if they believe that the child is at risk of harm or neglect in their current circumstances. They are obliged to investigate any complaints or concerns reported to them.
Call the Public Benefits Hotline (1-800-520-5292) or your local Legal Aid office.
CPS can investigate reports, even if they are false. Mandated reporters are required to report any suspected child abuse. It is illegal for them not to do so. Mandated reporters include doctors, lawyers and therapists. Of course, other people can make reports as well.
Coaching may help children tell more convincing lies as well as maintain their lies over repeated questioning. Inconsistent statements that are revealed through the use of follow-up questions are less likely to be exposed when children are coached on what to say.
FightCPS isn’t an organization – it is just a website run by one person. If you’re already involved in a CPS case you may already have a court appointed attorney. We all know that these attorneys are often ineffective and not well-motivated to truly provide an aggressive defense for parents involved in CPS cases.
However, if you’re a low-income parent and can’t afford to hire an attorney on your own, you will have to learn to manage with the attorney the court gave you. You might want to write a letter to your attorney explaining what you need and expect. DO – Create your own “FightCPS Strategy” for working on your CPS case.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking applicants for the General Counsel's Law Student Summer Volunteer Program.
The Legal Externship Program in Office of the General Counsel is a volunteer program offering law students the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and to earn academic credit while working in the headquarters Office of the General Counsel.
The Secretary’s Honors Program for Attorneys (Honors Attorney Program) at DHS offers highly qualified individuals the unique opportunity to start their legal career by addressing some of the most critical and challenging issues facing our nation today.
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.
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.
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 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.
State Bar of California, 1987 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1987 U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 1987 U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
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.
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.