If you or a loved one is facing child abuse or neglect accusations, you’ll need an experienced CPS attorney in Michigan to help you navigate your case. Allegations involving individuals under the age of 18 are extremely serious, and may result in life-altering consequences for you and your child. Even if you are innocent, you need to take accusations seriously. The CPS officer handling your case will assume that you are guilty, so it’s up to you to prove that you are innocent and that your child is not in danger of any kind. Defendants often make the mistake of assuming that CPS will uncover the truth. This, however, is not always the case. If you want to retain custody of your child and clear your name, you need to be proactive in building your defense. Take the first step today by contacting a member of the Grabel & Associates team. Getting in touch with us is easy. Just dial 1-800-342-7896 to speak with a skilled case analyst who will provide you with a free initial case consultation. The sooner you reach out to us, the better your chances are of receiving a favorable outcome.
Upon receiving a report of suspected abuse or neglect, CPS will begin an investigation. An officer may come to your house and interview you, your child, and anyone else involved in the case. If the officer determines that you are guilty of abusing or neglecting your child, he or she will file a petition. These petitions are common when there are criminal allegations against a parent, but they may also be filed if there are no pending criminal charges. The CPS worker may also try to get the judge to authorize an emergency removal of your child. If so, you’re entitles to an appearance before a Circuit Court Judge or Referee within 24 hours of your child’s removal. This appearance is referred to as a “preliminary hearing.”
The preliminary hearing gives both sides a chance to present their evidence to the judge. CPS will attempt to prove that there is probable cause to believe that one or more of the accusations are true. If the judge agrees with CPS, he or she will authorize the filing of the petition. The judge must then decide where the child will live until the trial. Typically, the child is placed in foster care, with one parent, or in the home of a friend or family member. If the child is not allowed to stay home with the parents, the judge must arrange parenting time between the child and parent.
If you’re being investigated for child abuse or neglect, it’s important to contact a skilled defense attorney early on in your case. Everything moves very quickly in cases involving children, so if you want a lawyer fighting for you during your preliminary hearing, you’ll need to connect with him or her early on in the investigation stage. The preliminary hearing may be your only chance to cross-examine CPS before your trial. Your attorney will carefully review the details of their testimony and start preparing a strong defense for you. The more time you give your lawyer to work on your case, the better chance you have at receiving your desired outcome. If you’re involved in a child abuse and neglect case, call the team at Grabel & Associates right now. We’re willing to step in at any stage and will tirelessly work to earn you a fair shot at justice.
The lawyers at Grabel & Associates have worked on a variety of cases involving CPS. We know what it takes to be successful in and out of court, and will fight aggressively to help you retain custody of your child. Our top priority is protecting the wellbeing of you and your family. We’ll walk you through every legal option, enabling you to choose the approach to your defense. We understand how to make the most of your preliminary hearing, and will use it as an opportunity to cross-examine CPS and get them to lock in their story. This information is extremely valuable as you move towards your criminal trial. When your lawyer knows what to expect from the other side, he or she can custom tailor your defense to stand up against the opposition. If you need help navigating your case involving CPS, call our firm right now. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to start working for you.
If you or a loved one is facing child abuse or neglect accusations or criminal charges, contact Grabel & Associates today. Call 1-800-342-7896 toll-free to speak with a talented member of our team. He or she will provide you with a free initial case consultation and answer any questions you may have regarding your defense. Take the first step in protecting your family today by contacting Michigan’s premier defense firm.