Morris County Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer

We Handle Complex Family Violence Cases, Restraining Orders & DCPP Cases

Child abuse or neglect cases in Morris County can often come out of nowhere and quickly get complicated. Many times, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families or the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) will launch a disruptive child abuse investigation without warning.

When a child abuse investigation starts in Morris County, you need to act fast. Don’t simply assume that everything will be fine simply because you didn’t do anything wrong. You need to take steps to protect your rights as a parent or legal guardian. Otherwise, you could quickly lose those rights, sometimes on a permanent basis.

At Williams Law Group, LLC, our skilled Morris County child abuse lawyers know what’s at stake. That’s because we have years of experience dealing with DCPP investigations in Parsippany-Troy Hills, Randolph and other communities in Morris County. As a result, we won’t waste a minute getting right to work on your important legal case. You can count on us in a crisis.

What Are Common Child Abuse and Neglect Cases In Morris County?

Child abuse and neglect cases in Morris County can cover a wide range. Many involve allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse or emotional abuse of a child. In each case, many of these allegations result in a DCPP investigation.

Beyond DCPP child abuse investigations, many legal cases in Essex County involving child abuse or neglect involve:

• Guardianship, which often focuses on who has the legal right to raise a child in place of a parent, especially if a parent is accused of abusing a child or the parent has personal issues such as drug addiction or mental health issues.
• Child protection orders, which can result in a child being removed from a parent’s home or another living situation often due to allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Termination of parental rights, which is a serious legal matter since a parent could permanently lose their right to make legal decisions on behalf of their children and lose parental visitation rights to see their children.

This is a small sampling of some of the child abuse or neglect cases our law firm handles in Morris County. There are many other types of cases. In each case, our Morris County child abuse lawyers can often make a dramatic difference.

Dealing With Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) In Morris County

If someone believes that child abuse or neglect has occurred in Mount Olive, Rockaway or another community in Morris County, New Jersey, the DCPP then often initiates a child abuse investigation. A DCPP caseworker from the Morris County DCPP office (either in Morris Plains or Randolph) will often then be assigned to investigate the report of child abuse or neglect.

Under state law, the DCPP must investigate incidents of child abuse or neglect within 24 hours of receiving the complaint. The DCPP does not have to notify the parents about the investigation. As a result, a DCPP caseworker could show up at your house or apartment unannounced without any prior warning.

DCPP child abuse investigations in Morris County can be disruptive, time-consuming and can have a significant impact on your life. You could lose custody of your children. You could lose your parental rights. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced Morris County DCPP lawyer from your firm on your side. We can act fast to protect your rights and respond to such serious allegations.

Which Morris County Court Handles Child Abuse Cases?

If a child abuse case in New Jersey goes to court, a family court judge in the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, will likely hear the case. These courts operate on a countywide level in New Jersey. In Morris County, the court is located in Morristown.

DCPP child abuse investigations often result in court cases because the state requires such a low level of “proof” to establish that child abuse or neglect occurred. And while you can appeal these court decisions to the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, the process can be extremely complicated.

Our Morris County child abuse attorneys have years of courtroom experience in Chancery Division courts and Appellate Division courts. As a result, we know what to expect and know how to advocate effectively for people in court dealing with such serious legal matters.

What Makes Child Abuse Cases So Complicated?

Dealing with DCPP and New Jersey’s court system can be overwhelming under any circumstances. Add in the pressure of possibly losing custody of your children and your right to make legal decisions about your child’s welfare and such cases be emotionally charged and upsetting.

In addition, DCPP investigations often occur without warning. A DCPP caseworker might suddenly show up at your home asking to interview you and your children. If your case goes to court, many other people might ask you the same questions or other questions about your children and your personal life.

This is why it’s critical that you take such allegations seriously, even if you know you didn’t do anything wrong. This is why it’s important to have an experienced Morris County child abuse lawyer on your side, looking out for your best interests.

Why You Should Choose Our Morris County Law Firm

Experience matters when it comes to choosing a Morris County child abuse attorney to handle your case. That’s why many people choose Williams Law Group, LLC to represent them. Our law firm’s founding attorney, Allison C. Williams, wrote the book, “How to Combat False Allegations of Neglect and Abuse.” As a result, we understand the seriousness and the urgency of such legal matters.

You’ll see the difference right away when you meet with a lawyer at our law firm. We’ll take the time to listen to you and learn more about your legal issues. Then we’ll get right to work on your important, urgent legal matter – whether it’s responding to a DCPP investigation or representing you in the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part in Morristown in Morris County.

Take the first step. Contact our law firm and schedule an appointment at our Parsippany, New Jersey office. We have the knowledge, the skill and the drive you need to succeed. We advocate for people’s rights throughout Morris County and across New Jersey. You can count on us to be there for you, fighting for your rights.