Lancaster County ChildLine Appeal Attorney

Child abuse accusations are serious. Due to the stigma surrounding child abuse, merely being accused of a crime of this nature is enough to tarnish an individual's reputation and limit their opportunities. People with criminal charges of child abuse typically have the chance to undergo a trial that determines a person's guilt or innocence. However, in Pennsylvania, a criminal conviction is not a requirement to be penalized by the state.

Individuals who have acquired charges involving a minor or have simply been suspected of neglecting or abusing a child are at risk of being “childlined,” or placed on a statewide registry and labeled as a perpetrator of child abuse. This decision is made by social workers based on witness reports, rather than evidence dissected and assessed by a jury.This is why If you have received notice of child abuse allegations, you should consult with a knowledgeable attorney.

For the purposes of this article, we will address (1) what exactly is ChildLine, (2) the ChildLine registry, (3) and the appeals process a person will have to undergo if allegations of child abuse arise.

What is ChildLine?

ChildLine is an agency hosted by the Department of Public Welfare that offers protection for children and youth that have been neglected and abused. The agency receives reports through the operation of a toll-free 24-hour hotline. The public is encouraged to call this number when they witness the mistreatment of a child. When a report is called in, ChildLine specialists gauge whether or not a report is plausible by analyzing a number of factors. The relationship between the witness and the accused, details in a report, and cultural differences are just some of the factors considered by the agency. If after this analysis it is determined that a report is feasible, ChildLine and Lancaster county's Children & Youth Agency will launch a statewide investigation in pursuit of evidence that will validate reports of abuse. If enough evidence is collected (by the judgment of the agency), an alleged perpetrator will be notified and immediately placed on the ChildLine Registry.

The ChildLine Registry

Being listed on this registry warrants harsh consequences. Although a criminal penalty is not always imposed, there are other repercussions that are just as severe. Persons listed on the registry are expected to stay out of the vicinity of children in private, professional and social settings. This expectation strictly limits access to potential job opportunities, involvement in your child's school and activities that you may be interested in partaking in.

The Appeals Process

If you have been notified of ChildLine allegations, you will be allotted a short period of time to appeal and ultimately expunge these allegations. The appeals process consists of requesting a hearing for your case to be revisited. It's crucial that you adhere to these deadlines, as untimely appeal requests are rarely considered and approved. Lancaster County ChildLine cases will generally be heard at either the Central or Southeastern Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA):

Central Regional Office:

Southeastern Regional Office:

Philadelphia State Office Building
Commonwealth of PA
Department of Human Services

Once a hearing request is granted, it is the duty of a hearing officer to reassess a case on the basis of an appeal in mind. Then the burden of proving that you committed the acts detailed in a report must be backed with clear and convincing evidence by the agency. If ChildLine fails to do so, you will be granted an expungement.

Lancaster County ChildLine Appeal Attorney

If you feel as if the findings of child abuse against you are unfair or unjust, you should immediately contact an attorney. You have the right to appeal a determination and get these allegations expunged if they are inaccurate or exaggerated. Contact knowledgeable legal professional Joseph D. Lento for assistance today.

Contact Us Today!

Attorney Joseph D. Lento has more than a decade of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the Lento Law Firm today! Criminal defense attorney Joseph D. Lento will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1500 Walnut St, St 500
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 535-5353
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
3000 Atrium Way - Suite 200
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
8885353686
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This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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