Denver Dependency and Neglect Resulting From Child Abuse Attorney
In Colorado, the legislature mandates that many professionals report suspicions of Child Abuse to the police or Human Services (Social Services). Additionally, Colorado police regularly report suspicions of Child Abuse to Human Services (Social Services). With this reporting, Human Services (Social Services) often feels compelled to take the information they've received and open a case with Colorado courts. These cases are collectively known as Dependency and Neglect (D&N) matters. A Dependency and Neglect matter usually begins with children being taken into custody by Human Services (Social Services) and placed in foster care. While this action is detrimental to the mental health of children, Human Services (Social Services) is unconcerned with this certain harm to children in order to protect the children from the possibility of harm from their caretakers. We defend parents and work for the return home of children in Denver, Colorado, and nearby in Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Jefferson County, Weld County, Larimer County and Adams County.
After the children are taken out of their homes, a Petition is filed with the Colorado court and the parents are required to appear in Court. This is a civil matter, and not a criminal case. Parents should be strongly cautioned, however, that Human Services (Social Services) will frequently report their cases for prosecution by police for Child Abuse charges and any statements parents make in the Dependency and Neglect case can be used against them in the criminal case. Therefore, it is important to have a Colorado attorney experienced in both Dependency and Neglect cases, and criminal cases.
Upon receipt of the Petition, a custody / shelter hearing is held to determine where the children will remain through the duration of the case. Cases of this type can last several months, and with the real harm to children from being away from their parents, it is important to have your Colorado attorney involved as early as possible in Denver, Colorado, and nearby in Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Jefferson County, Weld County, Larimer County and Adams County. The custody / shelter hearing is held pretty quickly after the initial appearance on the Petition, and it should be your Colorado lawyer's goal to have the children returned to their parents or to relatives.
At some point, the County Attorney, who represents Human Services (Social Services), will attempt to settle the matter and give Human Services (Social Services) continuing control over your children. For this reason, it is important your Colorado lawyer sets the case for a jury trial. Even a minor admission of wrongful conduct, or that your children were improperly cared for through no fault of your own, will result in Human Services (Social Services) dictating conditions to you for your child's return for many months to come.
There are complicated rules, many hearings, and discovery tools which only an experienced Colorado lawyer can use in your favor to protect your children from the government. At the O'Malley Law Office, we have worked against the government and successfully returned children to their parents. With the health of your children at stake, don't talk to anyone from the government until your Colorado lawyer gives the ok.
We have represented many parents accused in Dependency and Neglect matters in Denver, Colorado, and nearby in Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Jefferson County, Weld County, Larimer County and Adams County. Our firm has aggressively defended people accused of Dependency and Neglect for 18 years and we can put that knowledge to work in your Colorado Dependency and Neglect case.
Contact us right now and talk with an experienced lawyer who will defend you and your children.
