What if a stranger took your kids away? We can guess how you’d react.
You’d do anything to get them back.
But what if a sprawling, government agency with extraordinary legal powers took them and accused you of child abuse?
You might feel alone and helpless. It’s your story versus the $5 billion annual budget of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
Parents, advocates, and people in Oklahoma’s legal community are troubled by the broad powers and authorities that have been gradually granted to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services over years and decades to fight child abuse.
You’d be surprised by what the department can legally do.
Keep reading to keep your family safe and find out how Oklahoma’s good intentions became bad outcomes.
Best interests
How did the Oklahoma Department of Human Services become so powerful?
Our statutes around children are focused on what’s in the best interests of the child. But as we’ve written these laws, we’ve paired them with broad investigative powers. We gave those powers to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
The agency today decides what to investigate, how to investigate it, who to interview, when to interview them, whether to substantiate a finding of abuse or neglect or whether to seek emergency custody.
Public welfare
Nearly a century ago in 1936, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services was founded as the Department of Public Welfare, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. Established by a vote of the people, the department’s budget then was just $15 million.
That budget with time has ballooned to $5 billion today.
The department at first was responsible for “the relief and care of needy aged persons who are unable to provide for themselves, and other needy persons who, on account of immature age, physical infirmity, disability, or other cause, are unable to provide or care for themselves.”
During the 1980s, major economic strain caused caseloads at Oklahoma Human Services to grow exponentially.
Joe Knows
Joe Norwood and Norwood.Law have the experience and knowledge you need, no matter how tough your legal matter might be.
You could be fighting for child custody. You could be battling to protect your civil rights. You could be needing legal protection for your small business.
Norwood.Law practices family, estate, personal injury, civil rights, criminal, business law, and more. Let Joe Norwood help you return to the life you had or gain the one you want.
Call for a consultation at 918-582-6464.
Not absolute
Do you have a right as a parent to object to or challenge actions taken by the Human Services Department?
Yes, but these rights are not absolute. The child’s best interests have consistently been held by courts as the highest concern.
The Human Services Department is woven into Oklahoma’s family-court system in ways most people don’t realize until they’re ensnared. Every child support payment in Oklahoma passes through human services.
In a divorce or paternity case, before a judge can enter judgment, the court needs to know whether human services is involved or has an interest. This is not a minor detail. It means the department effectively has a seat at the table in nearly every family-law matter in the state.
In the news
Joe Norwood’s successes in both civil and criminal law have been publicized by news organizations nationwide.
So keep reading.
If the government accuses you of a crime or a corporation injures you, call Joe Norwood for a consultation at 918-582-6464.
Willfully
Laws in Oklahoma requiring people to promptly report child abuse are gravely serious.
According to Oklahoma statutes, “any person who knowingly and willfully fails to promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect or who interferes with the prompt reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect may be reported to local law enforcement for criminal investigation. … ”
If your offense is serious enough, it can become a felony.
Joe wins
He’s won against the government over wrongful convictions. He’s won against foreign manufacturers. He’s won against banking interests and insurance companies.
Joe Norwood’s record says it all. Explore Norwood.Law for more.
Joseph M. Norwood is a Tulsa attorney with the courtroom expertise you need. Contact his office at 918-582-6464.
By G.W. Schulz