Representing Parents in Maryland CINA Cases
Lawyers Providing Representation at Child in Need of Assistance
It is every parent's worst nightmare that a child protection worker will take their children from the family home and place them in foster care. And yet it happens many times every week in homes across Maryland.
At the Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold, our defense attorneys represent parents at CINA (child in need of assistance) hearings before the Circuit Court.
Often our clients are facing domestic assault charges, or a family member living at home was arrested for dealing drugs or for child molestation. An arrest of anyone in the home could cause child protective services to step in, as could allegations by a neighbor, teacher, religious leader or family member — whether true or false — of child abuse or child neglect.
We can represent you in both your criminal case and in any CINA proceedings. Contact us today to talk with one of the defense lawyers in our Greenway, Rockville, Annapolis or Upper Marlboro offices. Your initial consultation is free and completely confidential.
You Have Rights — Do Whatever You Can to Protect Them
If a Child Protective Services representative has taken your child, you do have rights, including the right to a lawyer and to a hearing. If at all possible, it's best to work with a private lawyer to protect your interests who has unlimited resources.
An attorney from our firm can do two important things for you:
- We can defend you in the first removal hearing in which the Department of Social Services makes its case for temporarily removing the child from your home. We can defend you in the second removal hearing in which the court rules on the merits of the allegations against you and determines whether the child will stay in the foster care system. We can also argue that children would be better off living with a relative who agrees to serve as guardian or foster parent.
- We can help you negotiate with the court. In order for your child to be returned to your care if you were found guilty of child abuse or neglect, the Court may ask that you take a number of actions, such as completing anger management counseling, drug treatment, or a parenting class. Sometimes their requirements are simply not necessary to improve the home situation. We can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you aren't burdened with unreasonable demands so you have the best chance to meet the requirements successfully.
At the Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold we will treat you with respect, will work hard, and will give you the attention you need to preserve your rights in a child protection proceedings and preserve your family.
Contact our Maryland defense law offices to learn more about CINA laws and how we can defend you against child abuse charges.
