Assistance with Child Protective Services in Denton County

Is Child Protective Services law enforcement?

The mission of Child Protective Services (CPS) is to ensure the welfare of children. It is required to investigate allegations of sexual abuse to a child and will work closely with law enforcement. In Denton County and others, alleged child victims are taken to a Children's Assessment Center where components of CPS and law enforcement share offices in the same building.

It must be assumed that any statements made to a CPS worker will be provided to the police. CPS will attempt to speak with an accused even if he or she has been charged and has counsel. They are not considered law enforcement by the courts and are not subject to the same constitutional requirements.

If CPS has proposed a safety plan, do I still need a lawyer?

A safety plan does not end a criminal investigation. Unfortunately, many of our clients come to us after CPS has already done an investigation, taken statements from all members of the family, and proposed a child safety plan. They are surprised when a police officer shows up at their door.

As it turns out, many officers prefer to wait for CPS to finish their investigation before beginning theirs. Some law enforcement officials find it particularly helpful that many parents, fearful of losing their parental rights, will talk freely with CPS about allegations of sexual assault. CPS doesn't have to tell an accused parent that law enforcement officials are investigating him or her for a crime.

Don't Speak Without Our Criminal Defense Lawyers

The best course of action is not to speak with any governmental agency accusing you of sexual assault of a child absent representation by an experienced sex crimes lawyer. At the Law Offices of Tim Powers, our Denton County criminal defense attorneys are well aware of these types of charges and how they affect your life. We understand how CPS works, and we want to guide you through the entirety of your case. We offer free consultations, allowing you to discuss your case with our firm with no cost and no obligation.

You can be confident that when you hire our firm, you will receive:

• Tenacious representation from start to finish
• Personalized counsel tailored to fit your specific situation
• Over 25 years of experience on your side
• Consistent communication and updates on your case