In the article below, you can see my interview quotes on this topic published in the Connecticut Law Tribune. Source: Pets and Courts: Attorneys See Rise in Animal Advocacy, Pet Custody Disputes | Connecticut Law Tribune Please email me or call (203) 259-5251 if you would like more information on a divorce and other…
An Uncared for Special Needs Petition focuses on the child’s behaviors rather than the parent’s conduct. Therefore, it is more gentle DCF approach in the Juvenile Court than a filing a Neglect Petition against parents. But the ultimate outcome is often the same – Committment of the child to DCF rather than the state providing services…
Revisions to Connecticut Juvenile Detention law will take effect on January 1, 2017. This is good news for juvenile justice advocates who long argued for reform. Here is a brief summary: No child may be detained after a hearing unless the court determines that: There is probable cause to believe that the child has committed…
Safe in foster care? A scathing 73-page report charts severe negligence and failure on the part of DCF, which nearly killed little “Dylan C,” the report says. Source: 1-Year-Old Child Abused and Nearly Starved to Death, but State Department of Children and Families Did Nothing: Report – Durham, CT Patch Email me or call (203)…
Tragic. The birth mother of a baby boy in the center of a Department of Children and Families investigation is planning to sue the state agency. Source: Mother of Child in DCF Abuse Case Planning to Sue | NBC Connecticut Email me or call (203) 259-5251 if you would like more information on lawsuits against…
A new law restricting gun ownership for people targeted by temporary restraining orders will take effect Saturday in Connecticut. After reviewing the Application for a Restraining Order the judge can order that the Respondent surrender all firearms. A hearing must then be held within seven days where the judge can either continue or vacate the…
Protective Supervision is one the options a Connecticut Juvenile Court judge has after making a finding of neglect. The neglect finding is made wither when a parent pleads “no contest” or after a full trial on the allegations in the DCF Neglect Petition. If there is no finding of neglect, then Protective Supervision cannot…
Need a ride? In the past, most folks would call a cab or phone a friend. Now they whip out their Smart Phone and hit the Uber app. Within a few minutes, a vehicle whisks them away to a destination near or far. Unfortunately, with the increase in Uber traffic comes an increase in Uber…
The ability to sue Connecticut DCF may be just a little easier now. Or at least the claim will be processed faster. DCF as a state agency is generally immune from liability and from lawsuits. Therefore, a person or family injured or damaged by DCF must request permission from the Claims Commissioner to sue DCF….
Joint legal custody in Connecticut is about decision making. Ordinarily, it gives both parents equal rights to make major decisions for their children. This is the usual arrangement but there are instances when joint legal custody is not in the child’s best interest. For example, if a parent has a history of using poor…