In the interest of proactively addressing and hopefully preventing the mistreatment of children, Connecticut state law designates people who hold certain jobs or positions in society that involve consistent contact with minor children as “mandated reporters.” As any experienced DCF defense attorney can further explain, “mandated reporters” are required by law to promptly report any suspicion they have that a child they have encountered in the course of their professional duties is being abused, neglected, or uncared for at home.
It is vital for people who receive this designation to comply—not just for the sake of protecting kids from preventable harm but also because they may face serious criminal sanctions if they fail to abide by the requirements placed on them. If you are facing allegations that you failed to fulfill your duties as a mandated reporter, you should make contacting and retaining a seasoned Ridgefield mandated reporter lawyer your top priority.
Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) §17a-101(b) lists 41 distinct types of healthcare and/or government workers as “mandated reporters,” including but not restricted to:
Anyone designated as a mandated reporter under the statute above must make a written report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) within 48 hours of any suspicions they have that a child they interacted with in a professional capacity has been mistreated at home. Under extreme circumstances, they may also be required to make an oral report to local law enforcement within 12 hours of when their suspicions first arise, as a Ridgefield mandated reporter attorney can affirm.
Under C.G.S. § 17a-101a, failure by a mandated reporter to make a report of suspected child abuse, neglect, or lack of care when they would be legally required to do so is treated as a Class A misdemeanor offense carrying maximum sanctions of $2,000 in fines and a one-year jail term upon conviction. However, the offense becomes a Class E felony if the failure to report is a repeat offense, constituted “gross negligence” or willful misconduct, or if the mandated reporter was a school employee who failed to report the suspected sexual assault of a minor child by another school employee.
Additionally, any attempt to “intentionally and unreasonably” interfere with a mandated reporter making a report in accordance with their legally appointed duties may result in a Class D felony offense under this statute. A mandated reporter lawyer in Ridgefield can provide irreplaceable assistance with understanding the nuances of these different charges and with constructing a comprehensive defense strategy against allegations of this nature.
Complying with all mandated reporter requirements that apply to you is crucial to protecting your professional life and your personal freedom. That said, an arrest doesn’t guarantee a conviction and you have the right to retain legal counsel to proactively contest allegations that you violated these requirements.
Guidance from a capable Ridgefield mandated reporter lawyer may make all the difference in how effectively you are able to fight your charges and how effectively you can pursue a favorable case resolution. Call Mark Sherman Law today to learn more.
