CPS Process in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services receives reports of child abuse or neglect and sends the information to Children’s Protective Services, a branch that handles investigations involving victims under the age of 18. If a mandated reporter or someone else called in a suspected case of abuse or neglect, a CPS officer will review the details and conduct an investigation.

If you or someone you love is under investigation for abuse or neglect, it’s important to call a CPS attorney as soon as possible. CPS officers must approach your case assuming that you’re guilty. It’s up to you, along with the help of your defense lawyer, to prove your innocence. If you fail to demonstrate that you child was not harmed and is not in any kind of danger, he or she could be removed from your home.

To take the first step in protecting yourself and your family, call the Grabel & Associates team right now or contact us online. Our attorneys on staff have worked on many cases involving CPS and know what it takes to be successful. We are committed to doing everything in our power to put you on track to receive a desirable outcome and are available to step in at any stage of your case.

What Happens During a CPS Investigation?

CPS typically has 30 days to complete an investigation. The investigation will commence within 24 hour of receiving the initial report. The following is a list of things that you can expect if you are under investigation:

• A CPS officer will visit your home.
• A CPS officer will interview the alleged victim, the caretaker, the alleged perpetrator, and any neighbors, family, friends, or co-workers that have contact your the family.
• A CPS officer will review all the relevant documents, such as police reports, your criminal history, medial records, school reports, etc.
• A CPS officer will assess your child’s safety and future risk or abuse or neglect.
• A CPS officer will assess your family’s needs and strengths.

After conducting the investigation, CPS will determine if there is preponderance of evidence of child abuse or neglect. This means that the officer will look to see if there is more evidence that points to your guilt than evidence that points to your innocence. The case will then be placed in one of 5 categories, depending on the evidence uncovered.

Navigating the CPS Investigation Process

The investigation stage of your case is extremely important. A CPS officer will review all the details and make a judgment about whether or not you are a suitable caretaker for your children. Consulting with an attorney is a good way to prepare for the investigation process. Your lawyer will review common interview questions with you and walk you through how you should interact with the investigator. This guidance could play a large roll in determining the outcome of your case, potentially meaning the difference between losing custody of your children and clearing your name.

To enlist the services of a premier defense attorney, give Grabel & Associates team a call right now. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to start working on your case.

Cases Involving CPS

At Grabel & Associates, we understand what’s at stake in your case involving CPS. Since cases involving individuals under the age of 18 are extremely time sensitive, we’ve made our team available 24/7 to start building your defense. When you connect with us, you can rest assured knowing that are attorneys will go above and beyond their duties to develop an the right approach to your defense. Your lawyer will spend ample time reviewing every detail, and even conduct his or her own investigation if necessary. We will look for reasons why someone may falsely report child abuse or neglect and help to prove that you are not guilty. If you want to take control of your future and protect your children, call us today. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to help you receiving the best available results.

Contact Us for 24/7

To speak with a seasoned case analyst, just dial 1-800-342-7896 or contact us online. We’ll provide you with a complementary case consultation to help you determine if our team is the right fit for you.