Not in the same respect that the criminal or family courts can. DCF can remove your kids from the home in certain situations, but they cannot force you out of your home in the way a protective order can.
DCF cases in Connecticut often come hand in hand with criminal protective orders or with family restraining orders. The criminal protective order follows an arrest for domestic violence, while a family restraining order follows an application by an alleged victim of abuse, threatening, or stalking. These orders can keep you out of your home and away from your family.
All protective orders prohibit you from assaulting, threatening, abusing, harassing, following, interfering with, or stalking the protected party. This is an inclusive list, but be warned that the police have a good amount of discretion in deciding what is and isn’t classified as one of these behaviors. Violating a protective order results in additional criminal charges, felony charges, even if the order was initially issued by a family court.
If the violation involves any perceived abuse or neglect of your child, it could also result in DCF being called to investigate. The police are mandated reporters and if they suspect abuse or neglect, they are required by law to call it in to DCF.
DCF will look into the case, and decide whether or not to accept the referral. You can expect to hear from DCF pretty soon after the incident or your arrest and they will want to speak to you, the child’s other parent or guardian, and the child. To learn more about DCF investigations and the process of them, click here.
On the other hand, if DCF was already investigating you and you got arrested for domestic violence resulting in a protective order, you can expect Connecticut DCF to find out. This could potentially increase DCF’s involvement in your life in both their investigation and due to the fact that they can give the criminal court their input regarding your case if the children are at all involved.
Connecticut DCF investigations, criminal and family protective orders, and criminal allegations should be taken with the utmost seriousness. You deserve an attorney who is ready, willing, and able to fight efficiently and vigorously in your defense. To learn more about the dedicated team at Mark Sherman Law, head over to Avvo.com to read some client reviews and then call us today to begin building your defense.
