St. Lucie and Martin County Dependency Court Law
Defending Parents in St. Lucie and Martin County Dependency Court Cases: Protecting Your Family When DCF Seeks Removal of Your Child
When the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) becomes involved with your family, life can turn upside down in an instant. For any parent, facing the possibility of losing custody of a child is clearly distressing. As a criminal defense and family law attorney and former DCF investigator based in Stuart, Florida, I have seen firsthand how DCF investigations can impact families and how it is important and how critical it is to act swiftly to protect your rights.
What Is a Dependency Case in Florida?
A dependency case is a legal proceeding in which the Florida alleges that a child has been abused, neglected, or abandoned, or is otherwise at risk in the home. These cases can begin with a DCF investigation triggered by a report (sometimes from a school, a medical provider, neighbor, or even an anonymous source). If DCF believes there is imminent danger, they can petition the court for emergency removal of the child.
Unique Experience Makes a Difference
Our Stuart dependency lawyer, Christian Van Riper, brings a rare perspective to these difficult cases. Before practicing law, Christian served as an investigator for DCF, personally handling child welfare investigations. This background gives him a comprehensive understanding of:
- How DCF gathers evidence
- The criteria they use to assess alleged risk or neglect
- The internal procedures and decision-making processes of DCF (Department of Children and Families).
In addition, as a former prosecutor in Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit, which includes St. Lucie and Martin counties, Christian developed courtroom skills and relationships that are invaluable when defending parents in dependency hearings. Today, as an experienced Dependency Court lawyer representing families in cases opened up by DCF, he applies this combined knowledge to protect the rights of parents and fight for the best interests of their children.
Your Rights During a Martin or St. Lucie County DCF Investigation
Many parents don’t realize they have important rights during a DCF inquiry:
- Right to be heard: You have the right to respond to allegations and present evidence.
- Right to an attorney: You have the right to be represented by an attorney throughout the dependency process.
- Right to a hearing: If DCF removes your child, you have the right to a shelter hearing within 24 hours before a judge, where the agency must justify its actions.
- Right to challenge evidence: You can question DCF’s findings, cross-examine witnesses, and provide testimony and documentation that supports your case.
Without experienced Dependency Court representation, it may be very difficult to navigate through these proceedings without a private dependency court attorney.
Taking Immediate Action
If you live in Martin or St. Lucie County and you have been contacted by DCF, or if you believe you are under investigation, you should speak with a qualified dependency attorney right away. Early intervention can help protect your parental rights and ensure that your side of the story is presented clearly and forcefully from the outset.
Christian Van Riper approaches every dependency case with the same core commitment: preparation and the use of Christian’s very unique experience as both a family law attorney, former prosecutor and former DCF investigator.
Contact Our Stuart, FL Dependency Defense Lawyer to discuss St. Lucie and Martin County Dependency Dependency Court Law and your Case
If DCF has made allegations against you, or if you are facing an emergency removal, do not wait. Christian handles Dependency Court cases in St. Lucie and Martin counties.
Call our law office today to schedule a confidential consultation with Christian Van Riper at 772-283-8712.