Care and Protections and Fair Hearings
• CARE AND PROTECTIONS
Care and Protection cases are filed by the Department of Children & Families (DCF). These matters are heard in both the Juvenile Court and the Probate & Family Court.
Care and Protection petitions are filed by DCF when a child is removed from a parent’s care and custody. These cases are serious and can potentially terminate a parent or guardian’s parental rights.
• FAIR HEARINGS
Fair Hearings offer an opportunity to dispute certain decisions or actions made by DCF. The decisions or actions that one may appeal through the Fair Hearing process are listed in the DCF regulations. One allowable ground for appeal is a DCF decision to support a report of abuse or neglect of a child, known as “a 51A” report.
Once DCF has concluded an initial investigation and supported a 51A report of neglect and/or abuse against a party, that party may dispute the finding by pursuing a Fair Hearing before an impartial hearing officer.
If you receive a notice from DCF that it has supported a 51A report against you, call me to discuss your specific situation.
