An investigation by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) can have significant consequences. Once DCF gets involved in your life, it can be months or years before you are free of them.
You have the right to consult legal counsel before talking to DCF investigators in Glastonbury, and you should take advantage of that right. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Sherman could advocate for your family and protect you against DCF overreach.
In most cases, you will learn that DCF is investigating you when they come to your door unannounced. They will ask to come in and speak to everyone who is at home, including your children.
You do not need to let the investigators into your home, and you do not need to answer their questions. In fact, the less you say at this initial contact, the better. Tell the investigators that you cannot talk to them until you have consulted an attorney, and promise to call them the next day to schedule a meeting after you have spoken with a lawyer.
Sometimes, in your surprise at having a DCF investigator on your doorstep, you might be over-eager to reassure them that there is nothing wrong in your home. If you invite them in and speak to them, try to remember everything they asked and everything you said. Write it down as soon as the investigator leaves, and then immediately speak to a DCF defense attorney at our Glastonbury firm.
DCF has an important job to do, and you should be polite and cooperative. However, the investigators can take what you say and do out of context and use it against you. You can protect yourself from this danger by only speaking to the DCF investigators when your Glastonbury lawyer is present.
During the interview, pause for a few seconds before answering any question. The pause gives your attorney the chance to object to a question or ask the DCF investigator for clarification. If you are not certain what the investigator is asking, you can ask them to explain or reword their question.
Your legal representative might follow an investigator’s question with one of their own. This can be a way for them to ensure the investigator has important information that they did not ask about or to put one of your answers into a more accurate context. Follow your attorney’s lead and help them strengthen your case during the interview.
DCF has the right to interview your children without your presence. However, Connecticut General Statutes § 17a-101h allows another adult to be present during the interview, and it should be your attorney.
Your lawyer could ensure that the DCF investigator does not ask any inappropriate questions. Being present at the interview could also help your lawyer understand DCF’s concerns, enabling you to respond to them more effectively.
A DCF investigation is stressful, and it is very easy to say the wrong thing. It is best to contact an attorney at Mark Sherman Law before talking to DCF investigators in Glastonbury.
Read a few of our firm’s 300+ certified reviews on Avvo to find out what our former clients think about us, then reach out. We can help you close a DCF investigation with minimal consequences.
