Why pick on judges - because many judges are supporting the corrupt practices of Child Protective Services and attorney action in word and deed.  In Texas and Georgia, courts and CPS not only took children from families, but out of retaliation took all the friends, relatives, and lawyer’s children putting them in foster care.  In California, a well known attorney had two firms supported with government money and committed suicide once an investigation started and he was exposed for not taking care of his clients.

All over the nation, the stories of corruption in the family court dependency actions are rampant leaving a wake of broken hearted families with no recourse. This is happening because of judicial support and decision making. Without their undying devotion to child thievery, CPS could not do what they do.

But aren’t children being abused and need to be removed? Sure. But consider these reasons:

• Children were removed forcibly by CPS and police because of a cluttered porch.
• A father didn’t like the services his wife and newborn were receiving and decided to go to a different facility. The hospital put a hold on the baby and CPS took him.
• Too many families to mention are getting children removed because they homeschool
• One child was removed because he didn’t like going to church so he called CPS
• A messy house is considered “emergent” and so is a messy car by many case workers
• A child with a brittle bone disease was removed and put in foster care without first researching the cause of broken bones

Washington State has one of the highest removal rates and receives some of the most exorbitant federal funding. Where is our Social Security money going? To adoption benefits instead of family reunification and at home services. Isn’t it satisfying to know that when we are old enough to receive Social Security benefits and there is no money, we can feel confident that our money was used wisely to keep the state going. We might not have the children or grandchildren – but hey – the CPS worker and judge get paid and that is all that counts. Right, judges?

The case worker decides to remove the children and has a private “hearing” with the judge. At this point, there is usually a conviction, with or without proof. The 72 hour shelter care hearing held after that is more of a kangaroo court. There is often coercion to get the family to sign off on foster care dependency in order to get their children back. Without realizing what they just did, that is signed away their children and possibly forever, the children are then kept in foster care an average of 14.5 months, or just under the 15 month maximum before rights are terminated.  Even though required services are completed way before the 14.5 months, excuses are made to keep them longer.

What needs to be done? At this point, family dependency courts need to go back to the adversarial method with a few changes to support information exchange.  In addition, the accused should be granted a jury trial if requested. Other states allow jury trials like Michigan. The stakes couldn’t be higher – that of the permanent removal of children – yet there is little due process to protect the family. A murderer has more rights than an accused family in this state.

Free initial consultation.  Pressed for time because of the shelter care hearing? Write me at washingtonstateextendedfamilies@live.com Go to main page for a downloadable book that will tell you what your options are HERE

THIS IS NOT TO BE USED IN PLACE OF ATTORNEY ADVICE.  ANY ACTIONS IN YOUR CASE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH AN ATTORNEY. IF YOU GET THE ATTORNEY AGREEMENT SIGNED THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FROM MY MAIN PAGE THIS IS A GOOD THING. IF THEY REFUSE TO SIGN THE ATTORNEY AGREEMENT, TAKE EVERYTHING THEY SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT AND GET LEGAL ADVICE SOMEWHERE ELSE. The attorney agreement contains things that they should do to protect your legal rights - what they are supposed to do by oath.

The 72 hour shelter care hearing is a critical time. If the investigator has a solid case I would still negotiate some things before signing any paperwork. One of them is asking for an agreement to NOT place with a foster adopt family and have reunification as the only goal at that time. If they refuse stating that they can't do that, they are lying. Also negotiate visitation there and then. Don't let CPS dictate to the court what your visitation will be. Ask for more than what you expect to get then negotiate down. A concept called "detox" is popular with CPS. Know the term.  Detox is where they believe the child(ren) need to be separated from you a great deal in the initial stages of dependency.  You need to have good reasons why that is not in the child's best interest. It's a ridiculous and dangerous concept.  It can be used against you later stating that the children are no longer bonded to you and they are now bonded to the foster family. Don't let them use detox to keep you from your children.

If you decide not to sign the paperwork because they are being unreasonable, get your butt in services and complete them in a hurry. This includes Chemical Dependency treatment if needed and parenting classes. Don't play games. They aren't.

Let’s get the corruption out of family courts in Washington State.

 RECENT BLUNDERS AT THURSTON COUNTY FAMILY COURT

Judge Casey was too hungry for due process. Two court appointed attorneys had not "done their job" advising their clients to "just sign and shut up." During court, when asked of one participant if she was guilty of abuse, she said no.  This infuriated the judge who was late for lunch. She angrily pressured the attorneys to either quickly advise the clients and get done or wait till after lunch.  Feeling pressured by the judge, the attorneys then pressured the clients using coersion to sign over their child because they would get the child back faster. Both parents signed under duress.  The judge got her lunch time though.  Wasn't that worth losing the son over?

Judge Casey ruled that "it is too hard" for foster parents to ensure that parents are notified in the event that a child has to be taken into the emergency room.  First of all, parents who have not lost their rights are entitled to medical involvement in all aspects of their child's care. Then, it is required by CPS policy for the foster parents to notifiy CPS immediately if emergency room care is required. This means that in order for CPS to follow the law regarding parental rights, it is up to them to notify the parents and allow the parents the opportunity to participate in the decisions in an emergency event. By their very written policy the foster parents are required to notify. How is it  then, "too hard" for foster parents to notify but it is ok for parents to suffer not knowing what is happening to the children? What if the child dies? The parents then have to wait to find out during a time when "it is not too hard" for the foster parents to notify? I don't believe that her ruling is constitutionally correct and legal.

The following video proves that with perserverance the system can be changed but it also takes a hard look at the most serious corruption by higher authorities responsible for child protection. It doesn't get much worse than this.