Facing criminal charges is terrifying on its own. But when those charges bring Child and Youth Services (CYS) into your life, the fear can feel overwhelming. In an instant, you could be fighting not just for your freedom but for the right to raise your own children.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we have been representing the people of Montgomery County since 2010, so we understand how high the stakes are. Our Hatboro child youth services lawyer knows how to handle the unique challenges that come when criminal defense and child welfare issues collide. We are here to listen, to guide you, and most importantly, to fight for you — every step of the way.
Call now to learn what our Hatboro criminal defense lawyer can do for you.
When you are facing a Child and Youth Services investigation, you want an advocate who knows exactly how the legal system works and how to protect what matters most. At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we offer the insight and commitment that can make all the difference in your case:
Attorney David McKenzie is a former prosecutor who now uses his inside knowledge to defend individuals and families against the system he once worked for. He understands how criminal charges are built, how prosecutors think, and how to spot weaknesses in the case against you. This unique perspective gives our clients a critical advantage both in the courtroom and in negotiations with Child and Youth Services.
We don’t just handle criminal charges: we also know how those charges can trigger CYS investigations that threaten your parental rights. Our team can defend you on both fronts, coordinating a legal strategy that protects your freedom and your family at the same time.
Having served clients throughout Hatboro, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas, we are deeply familiar with the local court system, CYS offices, and family courts. We know how to navigate the personalities and procedures that can impact your case.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we believe that being available to our clients is essential. David McKenzie is highly accessible: once you hire our firm, you can reach him by phone, text, email, and even social media whenever you need help or have questions. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening with your case.
We are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights, reputations, and families. Whether defending you in criminal court, advocating for you during a CYS investigation, or fighting for custody in family court, our lawyer can stand by your side and pursue every possible avenue to achieve the outcome you want.
As testimonials from past clients show, our firm knows how to provide crucial support during difficult times:
You deserve a defense attorney who knows how to fight and who is committed to fighting for you. The sooner you speak to McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., the sooner we can start safeguarding your future.
If you have been arrested or accused of a crime — especially one involving your family, home, or personal behavior — it’s not uncommon for CYS to get involved. In some cases, CYS may begin investigating even before any formal charges are filed.
Once CYS is involved, their job is to determine whether your children are safe. But investigations can move fast and feel invasive. An investigator from CYS may:
If they believe your child is at risk, they can recommend actions ranging from mandatory parenting classes to temporary or permanent removal of your children from your home.
At the same time, you may be facing criminal charges handled through the Montgomery County Court system. These charges can lead to serious consequences, such as fines, probation, or prison time. Worse yet, a criminal conviction can be used against you in any CYS-related custody proceedings.
Even if the criminal allegations seem minor or you believe the accusations are false, both CYS and the criminal courts treat these matters with extreme seriousness. A simple misunderstanding, a neighbor’s report, or a heated moment at home can escalate into a full investigation with the power to tear your family apart.
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., understands how to protect you on both fronts: fighting criminal charges while also safeguarding your parental rights.
In Pennsylvania, criminal charges can have devastating effects on your ability to parent your children, even before a conviction. When you are investigated by CYS following an arrest by the Hatboro Police Department or another local agency, your parental rights can come under immediate threat.
Certain types of criminal allegations raise especially serious concerns for CYS, including:
In Montgomery County, CYS investigators are trained to act quickly when they believe a child might be in danger. Even if the allegations against you are unproven or exaggerated, CYS can recommend that the court impose restrictions on your custody rights.
Meanwhile, prosecutors can use any evidence gathered by CYS to strengthen the criminal case against you. In other words, what you say during a CPS investigation can come back to haunt you in criminal court and vice versa.
Without legal representation, you risk losing not only your freedom but also the right to raise your children. At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we understand how these cases are built and how prosecutors and CYS workers approach them. We know how to protect your constitutional rights, challenge unlawful evidence, and aggressively defend your role as a parent. Call now to learn more at no charge.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we know that when you’re facing criminal charges and/or a CPS investigation, your entire life is on the line. That’s why we approach every case with a comprehensive strategy — protecting you in both the criminal courts and any child welfare proceedings.
Here’s how our defense attorney can help defend you and your family:
We fight aggressively to challenge the charges brought against you. Our lawyer can examine every detail of your arrest, from how evidence was collected to whether your rights were violated. Our goal is always to seek a dismissal of charges or a reduction that minimizes any risk to your parental rights.
We understand the local court system, from preliminary hearings in district courts like Magisterial District Court 38-1-14 (which serves Hatboro) to proceedings in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. We know how prosecutors think — and how to stay one step ahead.
Dealing with CYS requires a delicate but firm approach. We communicate directly with CYS workers on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are respected during home visits, interviews, and hearings. When necessary, we challenge CYS findings and push back against recommendations that could unnecessarily disrupt your family life.
Our goal is to prevent CYS from escalating their involvement and to demonstrate clearly and convincingly that your children are safe in your care.
Because criminal cases and CYS investigations often overlap, your defense must be carefully coordinated. We ensure that every step you take protects you on both fronts, helping you avoid common pitfalls that could make your situation worse.
If your case leads to a custody hearing in family court, we are ready to defend your parental rights. We work closely with you to gather evidence, present character witnesses, and challenge any attempt to portray you as an unfit parent.
Your relationship with your children is too important to leave to chance. With McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., you will have an advocate in your corner who understands the stakes and can fight tirelessly to keep your family together. We always put client satisfaction first, so we treat our clients’ goals as our own.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., every case we handle is unique, but the goal is always the same: to protect your freedom, your family, and your future. Depending on the facts of your case, we may use a variety of defense strategies to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Here are some of the approaches we may use:
One of the first things we do is closely examine the evidence against you. If the police or CYS made procedural errors, violated your rights, or based their case on weak evidence, we may be able to file motions to have the charges dismissed entirely. Getting your case dismissed early spares you the stress of a long legal battle and minimizes the risk to your parental rights.
In some cases, the evidence may not support the original, more serious charges. We can negotiate with prosecutors to seek a reduction to a lesser offense. A reduced charge may carry lighter penalties and have less impact on your custody rights or future employment prospects.
Reducing the severity of the charges can make a major difference in protecting your record and your family life. This includes potentially retaining the ability to seek expungement in the future.
If a dismissal or reduction isn’t possible, we may be able to negotiate a plea agreement that limits the consequences you face. A carefully negotiated plea deal can help you avoid jail time, minimize fines, and protect your ability to maintain custody or visitation rights. Our team works to structure plea deals that prioritize what matters most to you, especially preserving your relationship with your children.
When a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. David McKenzie has courtroom experience and knows how to present a strong, persuasive case to a jury. We meticulously prepare every aspect of your defense, including challenging the prosecution’s evidence, presenting witnesses, and fighting for an acquittal.
At every stage, our mission is to pursue the path that gives you the best chance at keeping your family together and moving forward with your life.
You know that your children are counting on you and that you must take swift action to protect their rights and your own. But if you have little to no experience with the legal system, you may be unsure of what those actions should be or how to avoid mistakes that could put your family’s future in jeopardy.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we understand the fear, uncertainty, and urgency you are feeling. We are here to put you at ease by addressing all of your concerns. Some of the most common questions we get are:
The cost of hiring a defense attorney can vary depending on the complexity of your case, the charges you are facing, and whether your case involves both criminal defense and Child and Youth Services proceedings.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we offer clear, upfront pricing. We will review the specifics of your case and provide a detailed explanation of the expected costs so there are no surprises later.
Investing in legal representation now can save you from far greater costs down the road.
If you try to handle criminal charges or a CYS investigation without an attorney, you risk making critical mistakes that can have lasting consequences. Without legal representation, you could face:
The system is not designed to help you defend yourself. Hiring our defense attorney gives you the chance to learn about your rights and obligations under the law.
In most cases, if you are facing criminal charges, you will have to appear in court at some point, whether for an arraignment, hearings, or a trial. If CYS has filed a petition against you, you may also need to appear in family court to defend your parental rights.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we prepare you thoroughly for every step of the process. We attend all hearings with you and advocate on your behalf. In some cases, we may be able to handle certain proceedings without you needing to be present. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while fighting for the best possible outcome.
In Pennsylvania, CYS generally needs a court order to remove a child from your home. However, in emergency situations where they believe a child is in immediate danger, they can request an emergency order from the court very quickly.
If CYS shows up at your door, you have the right to speak to an attorney before answering their questions. Getting legal help immediately can make a critical difference in protecting your family.
Early intervention can help prevent criminal charges from being filed, stop CYS from escalating their investigation, and ensure you do not accidentally harm your case by saying or doing the wrong thing.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we are available 24/7, so you can get in touch with us no matter what time of day you find out about an investigation or a charge being filed against you. Do not wait: your future and your children’s well-being may depend on it.
When you’re facing criminal charges and a Child and Youth Services investigation, time is not on your side. The longer you go without legal representation, the greater the potential risk to you and your children.
Do not wait for CYS to make decisions about your family without your voice being heard. Take control of your future today. Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
