Can DCFS Interviews Be Used in a Criminal Case? Combs Waterkotte attorneys Christopher Combs and Joshua Boardman discuss everything you need to know about Illinois sex crime charges, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape, and more.
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Interview Transcript
Scott Michael Dunn: Can DCFS interviews be used in a criminal case in sexual abuse in Illinois?
Christopher Combs: They often are.
Joshua Boardman: Yes, and to Chris’s point, that is one of the first instances or the first conversations or interrogations that is turned over as part of a discovery request.
Combs: And I just had a case where this gentleman called me. His daughter made an allegation. He didn’t hire us. He said, “I think that when she goes through this interview, she’s going to recant.” And he then later calls us after her interview and realizes, “I made a mistake. I need lawyer.” So, that is often times the first thing that happens is a disclosure is made and then there is a interview that takes place and then that’s when law enforcement, as Josh said, it is typically the catalyst to criminal charges, this initial interview with DCFS.
