Connecticut’s child protection agency, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), responds to all credible reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.
Before talking to DCF investigators in Darien, contact Mark Sherman Law. Our attorneys will work zealously to protect your rights, limit the scope of the investigation, so that it closes as quickly as possible.
If DCF receives a concerning report of abuse or neglect about you or your child, an investigator will likely arrive at your door unannounced, expecting to inspect your home and conduct an interview immediately. You do not need to let them in or agree to an interview at first contact, but not cooperating at all can work against you.
If you find yourself in this position, politely but firmly let the investigator know that it is not a good time and that you want to speak with an attorney before agreeing to anything. The investigator may object, assert their right to see your home and talk with you immediately, and threaten to file a court petition if you refuse to let them in and answer questions. Stand your ground and schedule an interview and home visit for a later date.
Typically, the investigator will allow only a day or two at most before returning, so you should speak with a Darien DCF defense attorney promptly. A legal professional can contact DCF, inquire regarding concerns, and construct a defense strategy to shut the investigation down as soon as possible.
You are entitled to legal representation at a DCF interview. It is a critical protection, and you should insist that DCF honor it. DCF investigators can use anything you say to them against you.
Your Darien attorney will be present during the DCF interview to ensure the investigator’s questions are focused on the specific concerns and to prevent intrusive, off-topic questioning.
After an interview, the investigator may decide whether to pursue a full investigation or reduce it to a Family Assessment Response (FAR), which is a less intrusive process for when the investigator determines the children are at low risk of harm. A legal professional can advocate for an FAR based on the information provided in the interview or agree to give more details if the investigator is not ready to make a decision.
Parents are often shocked to learn that DCF investigators want to interview their children outside their presence. Connecticut General Statutes §17a-101h gives DCF investigators the right to speak with children without their parents under certain conditions.
In most cases, the child’s parent or guardian must consent to the interview. However, DCF does not require consent if it suspects that the parent or guardian may be abusing or neglecting the child, and seeking approval would put the child at risk of harm.
When DCF interviews children outside the presence of their parents, a Darien attorney can be present and observe the interview. Ensuring a third party is present is essential to putting the child at ease and also for recording the investigator’s questions and the child’s responses.
When a DCF investigator arrives at your home, they may attempt to mislead or intimidate you into speaking with them immediately. You have no obligation to do so, and the wise course is to call an attorney before talking to DCF investigators in Darien.
At the Law Offices of Mark Sherman, we diligently represent parents and others in DCF investigations. Please read a few of our certified Avvo reviews, and then call us to discuss how to manage a DCF interview.
