- DON'T INVITE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SOCIAL SERVICES INTO YOUR HOME WITHOUT
A WARRANT. This waives your right under illegal search and seizure under
the Constitution. This will allow them to come into your home at ANY TIME
and search and seize your children or belongings.
- DON'T SPEAK TO ANYONE ABOUT YOUR CASE without first consulting a
lawyer. Everything you say can and will be used against you. If you
cannot afford a lawyer one will be appointed to you if you are arrested. No
attorney will be appointed to you if this is a civil case (family law).
In some states, attorneys are appointed to parents in juvenile dependency
court. Contact the local Bar Association or legal information service
nearest you for this information.
- DON'T CONTACT THE ALLEGED VICTIM, THEIR FAMILY, OR PROSECUTION
WITNESSES. Any and all such contact will be construed as an attempt to
bribe or threaten the alleged victim into silence or recantation. Such
contact must be done through a PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR who will work through or with
your attorney.
- DO GO ATTORNEY SHOPPING. Seek out an attorney who is
experienced in child abuse cases (specifically false cases). For
assistance, contact your local VOCAL or call NASVO at (916) 863-7470. If
you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you in criminal
court. If you are in civil court (family), you must pay for your own
attorney. Depending on the state, you may or may not be appointed an
attorney in juvenile dependency court.
- DON'T TURN TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. Such substances are habit-forming
and are depressants. They can cause you to jeopardize your case.
- DO KEEP ACTIVE. Physical and social activity are healthy and
will assist in keeping depression at bay.
- DO HIRE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. Some attorneys have their own
in-house investigators. Some do not, and IT IS CRUCIAL THAT AN INVESTIGATOR
BE IMMEDIATELY ASSIGNED TO YOUR CASE. If your attorney does not provide one,
call NASVO for references.
- DO KEEP A DAILY JOURNAL. A journal should document what you do,
where you go and people who see you or are with you. Keep receipts of
purchases for evidence of activities. Go through canceled checks, photos,
letters and holiday experiences to back-date a journal. Try to reconstruct
everything you did and where you were at the time of the allegation. Give
a copy of the journal to your investigator and lawyer; it may provide
evidence.
- DO STRIP-SEARCH THE ACCUSING CHILD'S ROOM, if the child lived in
your home. It can provide proof of your child's activities and sexual and
social habits. Look for notes, letters, diaries, photos, telephone numbers,
drug or sexual paraphernalia. Give copies to your investigator and your
lawyer.
- DO PAY YOUR ATTORNEY OR INVESTIGATOR. The people you hire for
your defense are professionals and will work toward finding a solid defense.
It is advisable to ALWAYS ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AGREEMENT FOR FEES. This
sets the boundaries of your agreement and protects both you and your
defense professional from failure.
- DOCUMENT EVERYTHING If possible, tape record or video tape all
conversations with anyone involved in your case, as well as any visits you
may have with your child. Federal law says that it is legal to make tape
recordings as long as one person being taped consents to it. Some states
say otherwise; California is one of them. To legally tape record anyone in
California (state law) you must advise them that you are going to tape
record the conversation and that if they do not wish to be taped then they
have the right to remain silent. If you are unable to tape conversations
or visits, then document the situation as it is happening or as soon
afterwards as possible. Be sure to include as much detail as possible.
- START A PAPER TRAIL Every time you talk to Social Services,
document what was said and write a letter to that person asking them to
confirm or deny the contents of the letter within 10 calendar days. In your
letter state that "failure to confirm or deny the contents of the letter
will constitute an agreement that the information contained therein is
accurate". Send the letter by certified mail or Return Receipt Requested.
Faxes can sent as long as you have verification that the fax was sent and
received. Make sure that you cc: copies of all these letters to your
attorney. Advise your attorney (in writing) to send copies of the letter to
County Counsel, other attorney's involved in the case and to the judge IF
your attorney feels that it is appropriate and that it might be to your
advantage.
- ARM YOURSELF - WITH POWER Knowledge is power. Knowing how the
system works and what is required of social workers can help you put them on
the defensive when you force them to do their job properly!
For California, call the State Department of Social Services at (916)
657-3661 and request a copy of DIVISION 31, CHILD WELFARE SERVICES PROGRAM
Manual of Policies and Procedures. Ask to be put on their update list and
you will automatically get updates to the manual. Your FREE copy of the
manual should arrive about two weeks later. It contains the regulations
that CPS is supposed to follow.
Read the manual and document all violations. Give your attorney a copy.
In court, your attorney can basically "put CPS on trial", forcing them to
defend their actions. This takes the focus off you. If your attorney
puts you on the stand, the focus should be on your concern for your child
(i.e., regression, poor grades, behavior changes, etc.). This strategy
will not guarantee a win, but it can change "the flavor of the court" in
your favor.
You can also fax copies of the violations (along with a brief cover letter)
to the agencies listed below. This could start an internal investigation
into your case.
- Children's Operation Bureau; Attn.: Bill Lamb; Fax (916) 445-2898 or
(916) 445-2836
- US Commission of Child & Family Welfare; Attn.: Kevin Costigan; Fax
(202) 401-5539
- Call the Administration for Children & Families and ask where to send or
fax your letter for their attention in this matter. The phone number is:
(202) 401-9200.
- LEARN TO TALK THEIR LINGO CPS uses key phrases like: "indicates,
seems to think, appears, could be" and others to gain an advantage in court.
Learn to use their key words in your everyday language so it becomes natural
and then use them to your advantage on the witness stand. Their use of these
phrases is no accident. They KNOW how it will look to the judge. The judge
won't see their statements as implications and opinions but will accept them
as facts instead. Whatever you do, DON'T LIE but DO use their key words
to your advantage. You MUST be better prepared than they are!
- CHECK YOUR COURT RECORDS Check all court documents for
errors. Simple things like names and birth dates are often wrong. List all
errors, give your attorney a copy. It establishes a pattern of errors which
may be used in your favor (i.e., social worker incompetence).
Find opinions stated as facts, i.e. "The child was not unhappy, indicating
he did not wish to return home." This is an opinion. The social worker
has no idea how your child acts when he/she is happy, sad, scared,
confused, tired or sick. The opinion didn't prove anything but a judge
may see it as fact: "The child is happy at the foster home and does not
want to go home." The judge will not side with you if this opinion isn't
clarified!
List every opinion that is presented as fact and give your attorney a
copy. Ask your attorney to clarify them in court. It might be enough to
tip the scales in your direction. If nothing else, CPS will have some
explaining to do in court!
- WHO'S SAYING WHAT? If you are involved with CPS, you have the
legal right to look through your case file (and to have copies of it).
Social services may tell you that you must have your attorney request that
information in writing. (It's not entirely legal for them to do that, but
you don't really have many options here.) If that happens, ask your attorney
to request a copy of ALL case notes and any other documentation that CPS has
against you. Ask your attorney to give you copies of ALL information that
is obtained so that you can list the errors and omissions in the
documentation. (By law, CPS is required to list every contact they have had
with you, including all phone calls, but they seldom document it unless they
can use it against you.) This step may help you in your defense.
- MAKE THEM 'PUT IT IN WRITING'! Any time CPS tries to force you to
do something that is not in their plan (i.e. Reunification Plan or
Family Maintenance Plan) tell them to put it in writing. (Example:
CPS tells you that you can not talk to your child about the past or the
future.) They will probably tell you, "I don't have to put it in writing.
I told you what to do." At that point, simply inform them that you are not
legally obligated to do as they requested unless you have a court order.
Make sure that you tell them that you do not feel that those actions would
be in your child's "best interests". (Some attorney's will tell you to go
along with CPS anyway. They want to keep the peace and they don't want you
to make the judge angry. There is some justification to this way of
thinking.)
- GET FRESH BLOOD Most attorneys work within their own county.
Keep in mind that your attorney must face the same attorneys and judges day
after day. They all know what to expect from each other and what kind of a
response to expect from the court for various situations. Judges can prevent
attorneys from providing their clients with the full benefit of their
strategies and expertise, so get some fresh blood in the court room. Try to
hire an attorney that is NOT from your county. If possible, hire an attorney
from the capital city. Why?
- The judge has no idea how your new attorney operates or where your
attorney is from. The judge will wonder why you didn't choose someone
local and will usually put their "best face" forward. (The judge may
think he/she is "being watched" or "evaluated", especially if the
judge discovers that your attorney is from the capital city!)
- The judge will generally allow far more latitude in the trial to your
new attorney. (This is definitely an advantage.)
- Opposing counsel won't know what to expect either and it can shake
them up enough so they will make mistakes that make CPS look bad.
(It's happened before!)
- The child's attorney doesn't know which way to go and will probably
"straddle the fence" through the entire trial or switch sides in
support of the defense. After all, the child's attorney wants to be
on the WINNING side. It looks better that way!
- STACK THE DECK Right now you probably have at least two
attorney's fighting against your one attorney. In most cases the attorney
for the child will side with CPS as long as they look like they are on the
winning side. Keep in mind that your child's attorney is getting one-sided
information. They are not talking to you. They are not asking you what you
think is best for your child. Chances are, they aren't doing much talking
to your child either. How can that attorney possibly know what is best for
your child if he/she only spends an hour or two with your child? They can't.
They rely on the information from the therapists (usually paid for and
appointed by the county) and the information from the social workers.
You need ALL the help you can get. Two or more attorneys in your corner
will certainly increase your chances of success. If there is a
step-parent involved in the child's upbringing, have the step-parent
declared a "defacto parent" (this entitles them to have an attorney, one
may not be appointed for them, but at least the step-parent can get legal
representation and this is another "ace up your sleeve"). If there is a
grandparent that plays a very significant role in the child's life (i.e.
grandma provides day care while parents work), they MAY be granted
"defacto" status as well.
If there are any ex-spouses (child's natural parent) in the picture,
he/she MAY be willing to have counsel appointed for them (or hire an
attorney) with the understanding that all of you are WORKING TOGETHER FOR
THE GOOD OF THE CHILD. It doesn't matter if the natural parents hate
each other, the child is all that matters and those negative feelings MUST
be put aside. CPS uses the strategy of divide and conquer. You must
provide a UNITED front in order to defeat their efforts.
Even if just the natural parents involved, you can still stack the deck
in your favor. Make certain you have TWO separate attorneys and that they
are willing to work together. There is a great advantage to this.
Chances are, one attorney has been on the case since close to the very
beginning. The second attorney often comes in much later. The first
attorney should already know more about your character, your efforts and
so forth. What one attorney misses during questioning (including
yourself) the other attorney can cover. Together hey can bring out points
that one attorney alone might overlook. Double your chances of winning,
get an additional attorney!
- HELP YOUR ATTORNEY The more you do for your attorney, the better
armed your attorney will be, and the easier it will be to win. When parents
take an active role in their own defense their chances of winning are greatly
increased. Don't just pay your attorney and walk away expecting the attorney
to do the rest. Your attorney can not paddle your life boat for you unless
you inflate it first. Help your attorney defend you. Do your own research,
ask questions, and keep your attorney informed.
Keep a log of everything concerning your case (phone calls, research,
etc.). Find cases similar to your own that has been won, make copies of
your findings, and give a copy to your attorney. Make it easier for your
attorney to defend you by preparing your attorney well.
- PROVE YOUR CHARACTER Get Affidavits of Character from
friends, co-workers and clergy. You can take them to the Clerk's office and
request that they be attached to your file. Once they are attached to your
file the judge is mandated BY LAW to read them. The Affidavits of
Character can not be "thrown out of court" nor do they have to be
entered into court as "evidence". You can take these steps without the
assistance of your attorney. Another advantage to this is that it allows
your friends and co-workers to "testify" for you without having to be
subjected to a cross-examination by the prosecution. It is strictly a
one-sided view, in YOUR favor!
- KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS The Bill of Rights, part of the
United States Constitution, is the law. Unfortunately, we the people, often
don't know what our rights are. We have, through our own ignorance, allowed
the state courts and "the system" to strip us of those rights and we never
raised a voice in protest. How did it happen? It happened one little step
at a time, year after year, until the system is as it stands today. We can
reverse this trend by demanding our rights. We can challenge the laws of
the state, court rulings and "county policies" that have been declared local
law. We the people have a duty to change the system when it no longer works.
These are not idle words, they are the American dreams and ideals we grew up
believing in. We can't rely on others to protect our rights, we must do
it ourselves; the cavalry is not going to rush in to save us. Learn your
Constitution and keep a list of the rights that were violated in your
case. You can later use this information for civil suits if you wish to
proceed in that manner.
- TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO "BE A BROKEN RECORD" When any government
official wants to question your child, he/she can answer each question with
something to this effect:
"According to the Privacy Act of 1974, I don't have to answer any
questions without my parents being present."
If they proceed to question your child without you being present, they
are in direct violation of the law and can be sued for it. The state
receives Federal Money and their employees are bound by the Privacy Act
of 1974.
- CAN I SUE? Yes. Some states are changing laws so that social
workers can be sued for violations of civil rights. In California social
workers will have the same immunity that police officers have starting on
January 1, 1996. Social workers previously had absolute (total) immunity
regardless of their actions. Civil law suits are forming all over the
country. Some are class action suits, some are single suits. You can find
out what suits are forming near you by calling various parents and family
rights organizations (VOCAL, MASA, Fathers For Their Children, Protective
Parents, Injustices In The Court, and so on). Who can be sued? The
state, the county, social workers, police officers, foster parents, and
sometimes judges and the federal government. It won't be easy, but your
fight will ultimately help the next generation and each generation after
that. By making the effort now, you are helping your children avoid the
same dangers when they become parents themselves.
- FILING AN INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT You can file a complaint
against the United States for violations of the Constitution. This complaint
is filed with the U.N. and will remain as part of America's history for as
long as the U.N. stands. Complaints can be filed for: false imprisonment,
cruel and unusual punishment, torture, acts of terrorism, and so on. For
more information, call VOCAL at (800) 745-8778 and request the address for
the Florida VOCAL chapter that is compiling this information.
- WHEN GOING PUBLIC.... If you go public with your story make your
child "bigger than life". Have a picture of your child blown up to poster
size. You can use it when giving speeches or protesting. It is a great
attention getter, AND, the people you are speaking to are forced to "see"
your child. Granted, it's only a picture, but your child is no longer a
faceless victim of the system. Your audience will remember the color of
your child's hair, the missing tooth, the grin, the glint in your child's
eyes, and so forth. Your child will become real to them, rather than just
being a statistic.
Do not use your child's name when protesting or giving speeches. Although
the Constitution and the Supreme Court upholds your right to free speech,
the judge in your case may not. The court may issue a "gag order" against
you for "going public" and may claim you are "endangering your child"
with your actions. You may be advised that "for your child's protection"
these proceedings are confidential. You can also be fined or jailed.
Only you can decide if it is worth the risk.
Note: Many copy stores charge less than $5 for a poster sized color
enlargement.
- WHEN YOU'RE RIGHT, YOU RIGHT! Letter writing campaigns can be a
wonderful tool. Write to your politicians, as well as to the politicians
that represent every member of your extended family (parents, siblings, etc.)
and to those of your friends. Chances are you will come up with a long list
of Assemblymen, Congressmen, State Senators and U.S. Senators around the
country. Keep your letter simple, but be concise; anything over two pages
will generally not get read. State the problem (e.g. CPS is trying to
force us to lie in order to get our child back.) Include a cc: section
on the letter (that can be page three). In your letters to politicians
outside your area, send a cover sheet that contains a statement like:
"I know you don't have the jurisdiction to help me but you represent
people in my family that are directly affected by the situation described
herein."
You may think, 'Well if they can't help then why should I waste my time
and money?' The answer is simple: this is how laws get changed. Your
politicians may sweep your concerns under the rug but when you send
letters to politicians across the country you are holding your own
representatives accountable. Your politicians must face their peers and
explain what they are doing about YOUR problem! It puts pressure on them
to do something! It also keeps you busy and focused on your case. You're
doing something positive regardless of the direct results and it proves
how hard you fought for your child. Someday your child may read those
letters and know how much you cared.
Note: cc: means - (carbon) copies sent to. Be sure to follow the
colon with the names of the people that copies of your letter were sent to.
(The more names, the better!)
- CHECKING FOR PHONE TAPS/PHONE TRAPS If you believe your phone may
be tapped, call the phone company's repair center and ask them to check the
line for taps/traps. Tell them about any unusual sounds (humming, clicking,
etc.) you may be hearing. The phone company may be willing to run a signal
that can detect most devices. If they refuse to check your line for you it
may be an indication that your phone is tapped or it may just be company
policy.
Even if your phone lines are clear, that doesn't mean it's safe to talk
freely. It is still possible for someone to listen in at the phone
company rather than through the lines near your home.
Watch what you say on cellular phones, cordless phones, and car phones.
Those calls can be monitored with a scanner.
- PARANOID??? Think again. They really are out to get you.
Make copies of EVERYTHING relating to your case. If you have a friend or
relative that lives out of state (that CPS is not aware of) send copies of
everything to that person for safekeeping. Do NOT rely on the safety of a
safety deposit box. The state can get a warrant to open the box and
confiscate your "evidence" against them. Ideally, keep one copy at home
and one copy close by and keep one copy out of state.
- CONTACT YOUR COUNTY GRAND JURY Many Grand Jury investigations of
Child Protective Services are being done. The investigations are
confidential; the public and CPS may be unaware of ongoing investigations.
It is important to notify your county Grand Jury if CPS is violating your
rights or not following their regulations. The Grand Jury may require a
certain number of complaints before they will take action; your letter could
be the one that will make the difference. Contacting the Grand Jury may help
you and many others as well.
PARENTS VICTIMIZED BY CHILDREN'S PROTECTIVE SERVICES