Mandated reporters are individuals who work in a position of authority and come in contact with children. The law requires these mandated reporters to report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) any suspicions of child abuse or neglect.
Failure to report suspicions of abuse or neglect can have serious consequences for these mandated reporters. A dedicated attorney at Mark Sherman Law can help you navigate the legal process if you are a mandated reporter who has been accused of failing to uphold your duty. Protect yourself and your reputation by reaching out to a New Canaan mandated reporter lawyer.
Under state law, more than 40 professions qualify as mandated reporters. Professionals across multiple sectors of employment, including health care and education, must fulfill this duty, and some of the most prominent examples of mandated reporters include:
An experienced attorney can help you review your options and deal directly with any allegations of wrongdoing if you work in a New Canaan mandated reporting profession.
State law sets out specific requirements for mandated reporters. First and foremost, you must report to DCF any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. This can include a child who has suffered a nonaccidental injury or who is in imminent risk of serious harm.
There are also firm time limits for reporting. You must provide this information to DCF within 12 hours of first becoming aware of the incident by calling DCF’s 24-hour hotline.
Additionally, reporters must submit Form DCF-136 within 48 hours of making their initial report. This document provides supplementary information and is important to the DCF investigation process. In New Canaan, failure to take either of these steps can lead to criminal charges being filed against you.
There are serious penalties for violating the duty to report suspicions of abuse or neglect. Failure to report is considered a Class A misdemeanor, and if convicted you could face up to a year in jail and $2,000 in monetary fines.
It could, however, also be treated as a Class E felony in certain circumstances, including when the reporter had actual knowledge of an act of abuse or if they have a prior conviction for this same offense. Class E felonies can result in a three-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of $3,500.
To avoid such penalties, seeking legal counsel immediately is vital. Our New Canaan attorneys help protect mandated reporters and safeguard their reputations.
Immediate support from legal counsel is crucial if you have been accused of violating your duties as a mandated reporter. A New Canaan mandated reporter lawyer can help you avoid serious consequences. The Sherman Law team is here to help you deal with these serious allegations and defend your reputation.
To learn how our attorneys can assist you, see our 300+ five-star reviews from prior clients. Reach out today, and let our team defend you from these serious allegations.
