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Getting Forced Out of Your Home During a Ridgefield DCF Investigation

Having investigators from the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) show up at your door is always an unsettling experience. It can also be life-altering, depending on what those investigators find while looking into your family’s home life. In some circumstances, a DCF investigation can be coupled by a court order preventing you from returning home. While DCF cannot individually force you out of your home, it is important to understand the other processes that may be at play which could do just that. Reach out to a dedicated DCF defense attorney for more details.

When Can Someone Be Removed from Their Home During a DCF Investigation?

Technically, the DCF cannot independently force someone they are investigating to leave their home during the investigation. What DCF can do, though, is request a court order to place a child in their protective custody for a maximum of 96 hours if they believe that child is at substantial risk of sustaining imminent physical, psychological, or moral harm.

During a DCF investigation someone may be forced out of their home though by way of family restraining order or criminal protective order. One of the ways DCF can get involved with a family is following an arrest for domestic violence. When that happens, the individual arrested is required to be in court on the next business day for their first court appearance, their arraignment. On that court date, the criminal court Judge can issue a protective order that may prohibit you from going back home. Even if there is no arrest, an individual can go to the court and file for a family restraining order which could also prohibit you from going back home. To learn more about protective orders in Connecticut, click here.

Possible Consequences of Ignoring a Protective Order

Regardless of what led to it being put in place, it is very important to abide by the terms of a protective order while it is in effect. Even if the terms seem unfair, violating them intentionally or by accident can lead to a felony arrest.

Additionally, DCF investigations often consider violations of protective orders to be strong evidence in favor of substantiating allegations of abuse or neglect. As a result, trying to go back home after being forced out of it one way or another during a Ridgefield DCF investigation can lead to that investigation having a much worse outcome than it otherwise would have.

A Ridgefield Attorney Can Help Contest Getting Forced Out of Your Home by DCF

Everything said above should highlight how both the DCF and Connecticut police have significant legal authority to interfere with your life while they are looking into accusations of child mistreatment. You should also keep in mind, though, that you still have rights during these proceedings, which you can and should proactively enforce.

Support from a skilled DCF defense lawyer is vital to avoiding getting forced out of your home by DCF in Ridgefield and handling your case effectively if you cannot prevent this action from being taken against you. The lawyers at Mark Sherman Law have years of experience helping people in this situation, you can read reviews from some of those prior clients here at Avvo.com. If you’re looking for help, call today to learn more.

Client Reviews

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I found Mark Sherman after doing an extensive search for DCF attorneys on the internet. He is without a doubt the most honest and straightforward attorney I have ever met. Rather than trying to push us towards an expensive engagement...

- Robert E
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