Dealing with investigators from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is a stressful process under the best of circumstances. In some cases, the department may require you to leave your home while it investigates allegations of abuse or neglect.
Getting forced out of your home by DCF in Greenwich is a life-altering event, both for you and your family. You have the right to defend yourself in this situation, and you never have to do so alone. Let a skilled attorney with Mark Sherman Law advocate on your behalf during this difficult time.
Agents with DCF cannot require you to leave your home in Greenwich without forethought, nor do they have the authority to remove you by force themselves. Only a judge has the power to order you to leave, and DCF can petition the court requesting an order to that effect.
It is worth noting that DCF agents can ask you to voluntarily leave the home in situations where you are not under arrest. You have the right to refuse, but this can potentially lead the investigators to pursue a 96-hour hold. This hold temporarily removes your child from your custody, but a court hearing is necessary to extend that removal.
When the issue of removing you from your home goes before the court, a judge will not force you out without a good reason. Typically, you can return to your home unless a judge issues a protective order requiring you to avoid any contact with a family member who is the alleged victim.
These circumstances can be disruptive and overwhelming for any family. The good news is that the right attorney can help you resolve these issues and reunite your family. It is critical to rely on the guidance of experienced legal counsel before you attempt to resolve these matters on your own. Our firm is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you return to your home in Greenwich after being ordered by a judge to leave during a DCF investigation, you can face serious consequences. Any violation of a court order can result in felony criminal charges that carry the potential for incarceration and significant monetary fines.
Being charged with a crime is only one of the potential consequences to be aware of. If you return to your home in violation of an order, DCF can use your actions as evidence to substantiate an underlying claim. This only increases the chance of having a neglect petition filed against you.
While DCF cannot pursue additional charges, they can refer you to a prosecutor if they ultimately substantiate the underlying abuse or neglect claim. The result can be two distinct criminal cases against you, primarily brought on by your failure to comply with a court order. Given the risk, it is vital to avoid returning home after being forced out.
There are few things more distressing than getting forced out of your home by DCF in Greenwich. The impact on your family can be traumatic, especially when the entire case originated from a misunderstanding. The good news is that Mark Sherman Law is here to help.
Our firm will work with you to resolve the DCF investigation and get you back into your home. To learn more about how we can help, contact us for a confidential consultation and review our 300+ verified AVVO reviews.
