Legal Experience and Expertise Helping with Child Protective Services Investigations
Protecting Families in Clark County including the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Overton, Moapa Valley, Mesquite, and Laughlin Areas
The State of Nevada takes the safety and well-being of children very seriously. In most cases involving allegations of child abuse, a CPS (child protective services) investigation soon follows. Though it may feel like you are being charged with a criminal offense, child abuse and neglect cases are actually a civil proceeding. However, the consequences can still have a devastating impact on a person’s family, especially the relationship with their children.
Las Vegas CPS Investigation Lawyers
If you are being investigated or have been accused of child abuse or neglect, it is imperative that you contact an attorney with experience handling interactions with Child Protective Services.
The Las Vegas child abuse defense attorneys at Mills & Anderson can help protect your parental rights and have represented clients throughout Clark County, Nevada, including Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Laughlin areas. Our attorneys will navigate you through the process and provide you with zealous representation that will protect your family’s interest.
Contact us at (702) 386-0030 so our lawyers can evaluate your case and begin defending your rights immediately.
Termination of Parental Rights
According to NRS 128.040, child welfare services, probation officer, or any other person may file a petition to terminate the parental rights of a parent. The court must use its best efforts to complete the proceedings within 6 months of the petition being filed.
The primary consideration in any proceeding to terminate parental rights is the best interest of the child. The court considers the following when determining whether to terminate parental rights:
- Best interests of the child
- Conduct of the parents including
- Abandonment of the child
- Neglect of the child
- Unfitness of the parent
- Failure of parental adjustment
- Risk of serious physical, mental, or emotional injury to the child if the child were returned to or remains in the home of one or both parents
- Only token efforts by the parents to
- Communicate with the child
- Prevent neglect of the child
- Avoid being an unfit parent
- Eliminate risk of serious physical, mental, or emotional injury to the child
- Placement options for the child
- Age of the child
- Developmental, cognitive, and psychological needs of the child.
What to do if under CPS Investigation
If Child Protective Services accuses a parent or guardian of child neglect, an investigation will take place and the individual is at risk of losing custody of the child. It is important to keep in mind the investigation is handled by experienced social workers and investigators.
It is highly recommended to consult an experienced CPS defense attorney immediately following accusations of child abuse or neglect.
A few helpful tips for dealing with interactions involving CPS are:
- Do not talk to child protective services and any representatives without an attorney present
- Keep a detailed record of any attempts of CPS to contact you
- Be mindful any statements can be used against you in child custody proceedings (and criminal proceedings, if initiated)
- Speak with your attorney before consenting to any psychological evaluations for yourself and your child
- Speak with your lawyer before consenting to any drug testing for yourself and your child
Resources:
Nevada’s Child Welfare and Child Protective Services– Visit this website to learn more about Nevada’s Child Protective Services and their procedures, intake procedure, investigation process, case findings, and situations involving repeat maltreatment.
Prevent Child Abuse Nevada – Visit this website to learn more about Nevada Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America assists in ensuring Nevada’s children are able to thrive in safe, stable, and nurturing environments, and aims to aspire communities at large to prevent all forms of child mistreatment.
Child Protective Service Defense Attorney in Clark County
The Las Vegas child abuse defense attorneys at Mills & Anderson can help you keep custody of your children and keep your parental rights intact. We have successfully represented clients throughout Clark County, Nevada, including Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, Henderson, and Laughlin Areas. Contact us at (702) 386-0030 to schedule your consultation so our team of attorneys can examine the details of your case.
