About the Firm


When you are up against DCF, then you are up against the entire State of Connecticut – some 3-1/2 million people.

In a DCF investigation, you are often presumed to be guilty.

If the case gets to Court, you do not have the benefit of a public trial, a jury trial, the requirement that you be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, or the standard protections of the criminal rules of evidence – even though the Court has the power to take your kids away, sometimes permanently. 

Your best friend is your lawyer; sometimes that is your only friend.

DCF is approximately 5% of the State’s budget. However, with its influence in education, Public Health, Mental Health, police, and others, DCF is in effect about 10% of the entire State. Thus, it is you against an agency with multi-billion dollar resources and virtual immunity.

However, with a qualified lawyer, you are not alone. Recall the line from “Godfather, Part II.” Michael Corleone opines that the Cuban rebels could win, even though they were outnumbered, outgunned, and out-financed. The reason: they were serious about their cause, whereas the State officers were not personally committed.

We care, and we want to help.
We provide full-service DCF defense for adults.  This includes:

  • Court cases
  • Administrative hearings
  • Related matters

Details are spelled out in this web site.

Unfortunately, we can not accept State-paid cases.  Doing so would require us to follow the rules of a state agency which is headed by a former DCF prosecutor, and might compromise our independence.

We are not able at this time to take “pro bono” cases. We cannot work for free. Our expenses in combating State bureaucracy are too high, and our taxes are too high.

However, we do make every effort to work with clients who have good causes but a shortage of funds. Some lawyers call this “low bono” work, and we do our best.


NOTE TO LAWYERS:

As of this writing, there is no good text on full-service DCF Defense Law.  A copy of our internal office memo “DCF Defense Protocol” will be sent via e-mail to any lawyer who requests it by writing to: AttyMikeA@agranofflaw.com.  Hopefully, the Protocol, along with this web site, will provide guidance.