DO YOU NEED A LAWYER, EVEN IF DCF IS “ON YOUR SIDE”

April, 2011

The short answer is “Yes”.

Understandably, some readers will think that this is a scare tactic to get clients. It is not. Please read the story of Bernard and Elizabeth, and decide for yourself. While this is one of the worst DCF episodes that I have ever encountered, there are others almost as bad.

The problem is that DCF has its own customs and procedures, which are difficult or impossible to discern from their published policies and regulations. Persons who thought they had “won” a case are sometimes astonished to learn that DCF had a reversal of opinion.

It matters little how you get along with the social worker. In nearly all cases, the social worker is the “front-man” for management. Supervisors and managers, and sometimes DCF lawyers, whom you never see and who have never met you, may make the actual decision.

It is your choice. I would never advise anyone to deal with DCF, in any capacity, under any set of circumstances, without a qualified DCF defense lawyer.