Dear Principal: No DCF or law enforcement interviews

If you think your child may be about to be interviewed at school by DCF or law enforcement, you might want to consider having him/her carry a card similar to the one in my previous post and sending this letter to the Principal and school district administration:

Dear Principal ____________:

My/Our child, [Child's Name], has been instructed not to discuss any non-academic matters with school administrators and not to speak at all with personnel from any outside agencies until one or both parents or my/our attorney is/are present. The only exception would be an emergency that concerns the immediate safety of my/our child or other children. Under no circumstances is my/our child to sign any document or write out any statement unless I/we am/are present.

If any [Name of School] administrator desires to question my/our child regarding any incident, please inform me/us immediately and I/we will come to the school as soon as possible. If anyone from an outside agency desires to meet with or question my/our child, please inform them that you do not have parental permission for them to meet with my/our child at school and ask them to schedule an appointment with me/us. My/Our home number is [Home Phone]. My/Our work numbers, for school emergencies only, do NOT provide to outside agencies except in a medical emergency, are [Name, Work Phone, Name, Work Phone].

I/We intend to cooperate with school officials regarding appropriate matters and will require that my/our child also cooperate. We simply ask that you wait until I/we are present to undertake any questioning.

Respectfully,

[Parent's(s’) Name(s)] [Address(es)]
[City(ies), State(s) Zip(s)]

Form copied from:
www.MIchaelRichLaw.blogspot.com

The blog of Atty. Michael L. Rich*
Concentrating in Children’s and Family Law
37 Middlesex Circle – Unit 21
Waltham, MA 02452
781-373-1582, fax: 339-368-7662
Emergencies: 339-707-0050
mike@michaelrichlaw.com
www.MichaelRichLaw.com

*Atty. Rich does not represent this child or family unless his signature appears on the form.

Available to copy at www.michaelrichlaw.blogspot.com and for group members for download at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/kidlawrich.

It is strongly suggested that you have an attorney and consult with him/her before sending this form to your child's school.

When you think DCF is going to talk to your child at school

For students to carry with them:

My Right to Remain Silent

My parents agree that I have the following rights*:

1. To refuse to talk to any school official, police officer, counselor or social worker about anything that is not related to my school work.

2. To refuse to sign any forms or discuss anything related to my family.

3. To deny consent to any search of my person or articles in my possession.

4. To insist that the school call my parents and ask my parents to come to the school immediately if I am to be questioned.

In the exercise of these rights:

I will be respectful to all officials at all times.

I will not be threatening or aggressive in my resistance.

__________________        ___________________

Child’s signature             Parent(s)’ signature(s)

* Many of these "rights" have not been specifically recognized by the legal system. Some derive from case law, some from Massachusetts statutes and regulations, some from model school department policies and some are merely desired interpretations.

Form copied from:

www.MichaelRichLaw.blogspot.com

A service of Atty. Michael L. Rich*

Concentrating in Children’s and Family Law

37 Middlesex Circle – Unit 21

Waltham, MA 02452

781-373-1582, Fax 339-368-7662

Emergencies 339-707-0050

                                   

Available as a post at www.michaelrichlaw.blogspot.com and to group members for download at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/kidlawrich

*Atty. Rich does not represent this child or family unless his signature appears on the form.

Go over this form and the situation with your child, preferably after retaining a DCF/CPS defense attorney in your area. If you are unable to connect with an attorney before the next school day, consider whether to send the form to school with your child.

Arlington Mass. Gun Buyback Program

Several faith communities in Arlington have gotten together with the Arlington Police Department and sponsors from around Town to offer grocery gift cards in exchange for unwanted firearms.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Arlington  DPW lot at 51 Grove Street.*

Here is a video clip from Arlington Community Media, Inc., in which I am being interviewed about the event --



* Rain date Saturday, October 5, 2014.

For more information go to www.arlingtongunbuyback.org.