When DCF Substantiates Abuse or Neglect or recommends placement on the Central Registry the alleged perpetrator has the right to appeal the findings at an Administrative Hearing. This is always – always – the best chance for a reversal.
If a parent is unsuccessful, then the the next step is to appeal the Central Registry placement to the Connecticut Superior Court. However, these appeals are usually unsuccessful since the scope of review is very limited. At the Superior Court level, the judge simply has to find that the Hearing Officer did not act unreasonably or arbitrarily in deciding against you.
No second chances. No opportunity to present new evidence. No do overs for DCF Central Registry appeals to the Superior Court.
I have had many disgruntled and upset parents come to my office ticked off with the results of a decision. In just about every case my assessment is the same – the chances of a successful appeal to the Connecticut Superior Court is slim at best. There are only a handful of cases in Connecticut where a DCF Administrative decision has been reversed at the Superior Court level.
The point of this blog is not to discourage parents about DCF Central Registry appeals to the Superior Court – I know certain types of cases may still overturned. My point is to emphasize that there are far better odds for a reversal of a Substantiation or Central Registry placement when you properly prepare your case for first time around.
Connecticut DCF Appeals
I represent clients in estate planning matters though out Fairfield County including those who reside in Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.
Please email me or call me in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 or in Fairfield at (203) 259-5251 if you have wish to have a consultation about DCF appeals.