[NOTE: we do not represent individuals in CPS cases, and we do not represent adults in criminal cases that are being investigated by CPS. We only represent juveniles]
Harris County Juvenile Defense Lawyer
Houston Juvenile Lawyer James Sullivan Can Represent Your Child if CPS is investigating
If you are contacted by Harris County Children’s Protective Services because they are investigating your child, you must take this very seriously. Not only could your child be facing juvenile prosecution, such an investigation could also destroy the peace of the family home by removing one of more of your children.
You need to know that a CPS report will be forwarded to the police or to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, therefore you have to consider the possible consequences once you learn that a CPS investigation has been started. Your child could be arrested. During the early stages of the investigation, do not be misled. A CPS investigator may ask you some serious questions which could implicate you, a family member, or your child in a criminal or juvenile offense. An investigator may assure you that if you help explain some troubling issues that it may clear you or a family member of suspicion.
If you have been contacted by CPS for an interview and or to take a polygraph, call Houston Criminal Defense Attorney James Sullivan at (281) 546-6428 immediately. Both the interview and the polygraph examination should be stopped by your attorney so that he can first assess the situation and the reason for the investigation. You should put your attorney between the CPS investigator and you. You have the absolute right to remain silent. Do not give up that right. Polygraph examinations are not reliable and the results cannot be used in court, however what you tell the polygraph expert may be used against you. The State uses interviews and polygraph examinations to strengthen their case against you.
Always talk to a lawyer before you talk to CPS.
As one client wrote in a review,
I’m so fortunate to have hired James Sullivan who truly cares about you and your family. I spent almost a year knowing Mr. Sullivan and I have to say he was the most caring, thoughtful and supportive person during this entire ordeal.
My son made a terrible decision and committed a sex felony at 13 years old. Our first attorney, a CPS attorney, said he hadn’t received any correspondence from CPS or Harris County Juvenile Probation department. He told us more than likely the case was closed because it had been over a year. However, six months later, we were served with a petition that my son was charged with a serious sex felony. Lesson learned: Do not hire a CPS Attorney but hire a Juvenile Defense Attorney and save money and time.
Thus, I had three days to hire an attorney to defend my son. I next hired a criminal defense attorney recommended by my CPS lawyer. Our second attorney turned out to be the worst nightmare of my life. My wife and I did some research and we selected James Sullivan for his proven record. Mr. Sullivan is a humble, intelligent and compassionate man who is very responsive and understanding. God bless James Sullivan, I wish we had more people in this world like him.
James Sullivan arranged for our son to receive juvenile sex offender counseling with a private therapist. Mr. Sullivan said this would be important at the final disposition hearing, and he was right.My son is a warm, kindhearted person who is friendly and demonstrates compassion. He is an A and B student who plays musical instruments and participates in school athletics. I wish schools and parents would be more proactive and have a sexual behavioral class to teach our kids right from wrong. Unfortunately, we have not progressed enough for that. I also wish cell phone companies would warn parents about the dangers of unfiltered access to the internet. As Mr. Sullivan explained, hard core pornography online has led unfathomable numbers of children worldwide to sexually abuse other children, with some children acting out as young as five.
I’m writing this review because I want families in a similar situation to make the right choice and learn from my lesson. James Sullivan is your CPS, criminal defense and juvenile defense attorney all rolled up in one, but he is much more than an attorney. He is a caring, thoughtful, compassionate person on a mission to help teens. Mr. Sullivan, thank you for every step of the way, your light shines brighter than the stars above. If only I could have recorded Mr. Sullivan’s passionate argument for pretrial diversion in front of the Judge and the prosecuting attorney. Wow! This guy has superior trial skills! We truly are blessed, and the judge granted Mr. Sullivan’s request and gave my son deferred prosecution. His case will be dismissed in less than a year, and he can get his record sealed at 17. Great job Mr. Sullivan and God bless you!
–Avvo review posted by GRG on February 3, 2019
