What You Should Know

Handling DCPP (f/k/a DFYS) Matters

The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), aims to protect children from abuse and neglect and ensures that they have a stable home environment. Any accusation of wrongdoing against a caregiver is taken very seriously and can jeopardize a family’s ability to keep their children in their home. South Jersey family abuse and neglect lawyers at The Law Offices of Kelli M. Martone also take these matters seriously and are committed to keeping families together in the face of unwarranted neglect and abuse allegations.

The DCPP is a valuable resource for children suffering from abuse, but they are also one of the most complex government agencies. The Rules of Court and Rules of Evidence in these cases are much more difficult to navigate than other types of family law cases, as they are governed by child welfare law. If you become the subject of a DCPP investigation, it is important to know what you are up against. The Law Offices of Kelli M. Martone has years of experience handling these cases and can help prepare you to win your case.

Access to Evidence Vital for Success

Families facing a DCPP case can find themselves at a disadvantage, as judges in these cases often restrict their access to the evidence being presented. In some cases, the evidence cannot be accessed by the parties at all, and may only be reviewed by their legal representation while in court. Meanwhile, decisions regarding child custody and parenting time may be based on the unsubstantiated findings of the DCPP investigation.

In order to gain access to these documents before the trial, a court order is often required. Our legal team is intimately familiar with all DCPP requirements and procedures and will take all the necessary steps to ensure that you are prepared for your trial. We will help you review the agency’s findings, including expert evaluations and statements from third parties, to make sure that you fully understand the case against you and have the opportunity to discredit any erroneous claims in the file. We understand that every case is different, and we will build a legal strategy around the needs of you and your family.