A very difficult decision is in a DCF case that is going before a judge whether a parent should testify or not, or if there is criminal case investigation. Parents do have a 5th Amendment right to prevent testifying if they could potentially incriminate themselves. Criminal defense attorney would strongly recommend that the parents do […]
12
Nov
Many times in probate and family court, the court refers you to probation or family service. What this means is in some contested cases, the court feels that it may be helpful to meet with a probation officer or family service officer(FSO). The term is for the same office. The idea is that sometimes you […]
06
Nov
There are Standing Orders, including Standing Order 2-11, that the court can be allowed to use information from DCF. What can happen is, in many times if custody or visitation is before a Probate and Family Court Judge, there is awareness that either you want to bring up; or the other parent or another party […]
03
Nov
You can file something called a “contempt” action saying that the other side has violated the court order. You need to show what the court order is and how it was violated. There are technical requirements but the order should be clear and the violation should be straightforward. The court has a lot of remedies […]
02
Nov
As you probably guessed the answer is YES! Be very careful what you post. I have seen people claim to have no money in front of a judge and be confronted with Facebook posts of expensive vacations or new cars. I have seen many cases where one parent badmouths the other ( and sometimes the […]
26
Oct
In many counties in Massachusetts an ARC attorney can be appointed to represent the child’s voice. It is a pro bono program ( there is no costs to the parties). The ARC attorney acts as the child’s voice in court. This is not available in DCF C&P cases( child counsel may be appointed through CPCS) […]
23
Oct
Client information records is something that DCF keeps; particularly when it is related to a child that is in a care and custody matter of DCF. There is also information in something that is called the “Central Registry”. This is where it is confirmed the alleged victims of child abuse or neglect. Examples of some […]
17
Oct
The RMV has reasonable discretion for hardship license abut the criteria for a first offense includes: 1. No evidence of driving a care since the revocation 2. A qualified 24 D program 3. All other revocations have been completed( eg license suspended for something else) 4. You enter a program for 24D and have letterhead […]
0