Tag: Michigan law
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Understanding the Role of the Office of the Child Advocate in Michigan
Navigating the complexities of Michigan’s child welfare system can be daunting for families. The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) plays a crucial role in ensuring children’s rights and well-being are upheld. This independent state agency is tasked to investigate complaints and make recommendations to improve Michigan’s child welfare (CPS) system. Investigating Complaints A complaint…
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Defending Against CPS Allegations of Shaken Baby Syndrome: Insights from the Michigan Supreme Court – People v. Lemons
Children’s Protective Services (CPS) cases can be extremely stressful and have life altering consequences for parents. When allegations of child abuse, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), arise, the stakes are even higher. The Michigan Supreme Court case, People v. Lemons, provides valuable insights into defending against CPS allegations and accusations. This blog explores key…
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Empowering Michigan Families: The Need for Enhanced Education in Caregiver Rights Legislation
Here in Michigan, the well-being of children and the rights of parents and guardians are of utmost importance to all of us. As with other states, Michigan has legislation to address child abuse and neglect, influenced by federal funding mandates. This legislation must balance the state’s interest in child safety with Constitutionally mandated respect for…
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Strengthening Tribal Families Act: Safeguarding Native Children and Cultures
The Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023 is a significant legislative step toward protecting Native American children and preserving their cultural heritage. Introduced in the 118th Congress, this bill aims to enhance compliance of Children’s Protective Services with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), which establishes federal standards for the removal and placement of Indian children…
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Michigan’s Newest Mandatory Reporters
There is growing concern right here in Michigan, and nationally, about unreported sexual abuse or neglect, specifically in children. In an effort to protect those victims, Michigan law will now make physical and occupational therapists and athletic trainers mandatory reporters of reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect. Michigan’s Child Protection Law designates certain professionals as…
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Should Michigan Child Abuse Laws Change For Cases Involving Vulnerable Children?
When a person is convicted of abusing or neglecting a child in Michigan, there are rather specific sentencing ranges that Judges have to use when sentencing them to prison. First Degree Child Abuse can be punished by up to life in prison, but Fourth Degree Child Abuse is only a misdemeanor, and doesn’t get more…
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Home Visit by CPS Judge Wasn’t Permissible Says Supreme Court!
A recent case has made headlines in Michigan, after an Otsego County Family Court Judge chose to visit the home of a family involved in a termination of parental rights case. His reason for stopping by? To see for himself how the family was handling the situation, and whether or not the prosecution’s claims…
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Mandatory Reporting: A Teacher’s Nightmare!
A recent news article, while it isn’t an incident that is taking place in Michigan, perfectly illustrated something that could easily happen anywhere in the U.S. A teacher from Columbia County in Georgia has been arrested and accused of failing to report suspected child abuse to the proper authorities. In this particular case the teacher…
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Child Endangerment in Michigan: What You Need To Know
When someone has a few too many drinks and gets behind the wheel, they are likely to face drunk driving charges. However, if they have a few too many drinks and get behind the wheel of a car with a child in it, drunk driving charges are going to be the least of their concerns.…
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CPS Petitions in Michigan: What You Need To Know 3
In the previous installment in this series on CPS petitions, we looked at everything in the process that leads up to the trial. Moving forward, we are going to look at exactly what is involved in an abuse or neglect trial in family court. If you are only joining us now, we recommend that you…