The thought of suing CPS can be a very daunting process. After all, they have access to enormous resources, and have “the law on their side” – or so they’d like you to think. But when CPS has violated your constitutional rights, sometimes you have no other option but to fight fire with fire. And in some cases that means taking them to court and making them pay for the injustices they levelled against you. If this sounds like your situation, then this post is for you.

So you’re thinking of suing CPS. What now?

Well, let’s start at the very beginning. You should get a lawyer. You don’t have to have one, but we highly recommend it because suing anyone, especially a government agency, in federal court is a major undertaking and best handled with the help of experts.

While we’ve made it a focus of our work to battle CPS, what we do is fight CPS in defense of families and parents. In other words, when CPS comes after you, we step in and defend you against their attack. If you decide to go after them afterwards in court, you’re going to need help from a civil rights attorney, not a CPS defense attorney.

How do you find the right attorney for your case?

Well, there are a couple of routes you can take. Here are some options to consider:

• Go online and search for civil rights attorneys in your area. Write down their numbers and start calling them. Set up consultations and meet with them before you decide which one you want to hire.
• Ask around and get recommendations for a civil rights attorney that has helped a friend or family in the past.
• Go to PACR (Public Access to Court Records) online and search for cases filed against the Department of Social Services in Michigan. Take down the names of the attorneys that handled those cases, and reach out to them. (Remember – there’s a fee involved in using PACR though!)

Once you’ve found some attorney options, then what?

Well, once you’ve started searching for an attorney, you need to start gathering evidence to give to them (they’re going to need something to build a case from). Write down every single interaction you had with CPS that led to your rights being violated.

Collect copies of every document you receive from them, and write down as much as you can remember of every phone conversation you had with a CPS worker. Make sure you have as much physical evidence as possible. Now go talk to the attorneys and show them what you’ve got.

Battling CPS is like climbing a mountain – one step at a time

Join us next week for a wrap up on what you can expect when you decide to sue CPS. Until then, if you or a loved one have been accused of child abuse or neglect in any capacity in Michigan, call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. Our skilled CPS defense attorneys can help you keep your family together, and fight off the charges and allegations that can cost you your freedom!