La. Admin. Code tit. 22, § XV-1113 - Counsel's Initial Interview with Client

A. Preparing for the Initial Interview

1. Prior to conducting the initial interview the attorney should, where possible:

a. be familiar with the allegations against the client;

b. obtain copies of any relevant documents which are available, including copies of any reports made by law enforcement, medical personnel or Department of Children and Family Services personnel; and

c. determine if any criminal charges have been or are likely to be filed against the client.

2. In addition, where the client is incarcerated, the attorney should:

a. be familiar with the legal criteria for determining pretrial release and the procedures that will be followed in setting those conditions;

b. where applicable, determine if a criminal defense attorney has been appointed regarding the related criminal charges, and develop as soon as is feasible with that attorney a joint strategy for addressing both the criminal charges and the child in need of care proceedings.

B. Conducting the Interview

1. The purpose of the initial interview is to acquire information from the client concerning the case and the client, and to provide the client with information concerning the case. Counsel should ensure at all interviews and proceedings that barriers to communication, such as differences in language or literacy, be overcome. In addition, counsel should obtain from the client all release forms necessary to obtain client's medical, psychological, education, military, prison and other records as may be pertinent.

2. Information that should be acquired from the client, such as:

a. the facts surrounding the allegations leading to the initiation of a child in need of care proceeding, to the extent the client knows and is willing to discuss these facts;

b. where applicable, the client's version of the removal of the child(ren); whether client was interrogated and if so, whether a statement was given; client's physical and mental status at the time the statement was given; whether any samples were provided, such as blood, tissue, hair, DNA, handwriting, etc., and whether any scientific tests were performed on client's body or bodily fluids;

c. the name(s) and marital status of all parents of the subject child(ren) and the name of counsel for the other parents (if a conflict has been determined and counsel has been appointed or retained);

d. the names and locating information of any witnesses to the alleged abuse and/or neglect; regardless of whether these are witnesses for the prosecution or for the defense; the existence of any tangible evidence in the possession of the state and/or Department of Children and Family Services (when appropriate, counsel should take steps to insure this evidence is preserved);

e. the client's ties to the community, including the length of time he or she has lived at the current and former addresses, any prior names or aliases used, family relationships, immigration status (if applicable), employment record and history, and social security number;

f. the client's physical and mental health, educational, vocational and armed services history;

g. the client's immediate medical needs, including the need for detoxification programs and/or substance abuse treatment;

h. the client's past criminal record, if any, including arrests and convictions for adult and juvenile offenses and prior record of court appearances or failure to appear in court; the client's past involvement, if any, with a child in need of care case or the Department of Children and Family Services or, more specifically, the Child Welfare Section; counsel should also determine whether the client has any pending charges or outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions or agencies, whether he or she is on probation (including the nature of the probation) or parole, and the client's past or present performance under supervision;

i. the names of individuals or other sources that counsel can contact to verify the information provided by the client (counsel should obtain the permission of the client before contacting these individuals); and

j. where appropriate, evidence of the client's competence to stand trial and/or mental state at the time of the alleged abuse and/or neglect, including releases from the client for any records for treatment or testing for mental health or mental retardation.

3. Information to be provided to the client, includes, but is not limited to:

a. taking care to distinguish him or herself from others in the system so the client can see that the attorney serves the client's interests, an explanation of the attorney-client privilege and instructions not to talk to anyone about the facts of the case without first consulting with the attorney;

b. a general overview of the procedural progression of the case, the legal issues related to the case, including specific allegations against the client, the case plan, the client's rights in the pending proceeding, any orders entered against the client and the potential consequences of failing to obey court orders or cooperate with case plans, as well as the general expectations of the court and the agency, and potential consequences of the client failing to meet those expectations;

c. an explanation of the persons involved in a child in need of care case and in any subsequent termination of parental rights proceeding and the role and responsibility each person has;

d. contact information in writing and a message system that allows regular attorney-client contact. The attorney should explain that even when the attorney is unavailable, the parent should leave a message. The attorney shall respond to client messages in a reasonable time period; and

e. the names of any other persons who may be contacting the client on behalf of counsel.

4. For clients who are incarcerated:

a. communicate with the client on a regular and ongoing basis, including conferring with the client within 72 hours of being appointed and prior to every court appearance;

b. where appropriate, explain how the criminal proceedings will relate to the child in need of care and any subsequent termination of parental rights proceedings;

c. warn the client of the dangers with regard to the search of client's cell and personal belongings while in custody and the fact that telephone calls, mail, and visitations may be monitored by jail officials; and

d. assist client in obtaining services such as substance abuse treatment, parenting skills, or job training while incarcerated.

5. The parent's attorney and client should discuss timelines that reflect projected deadlines and important dates and a calendar system to remember the dates. The timeline should specify what actions the attorney and parent will need to take and dates by which they will be completed. The timeline should reflect court deadlines and Department of Children and Family Services deadlines.

6. Counsel should make available to the client copies of all petitions, court orders, service plans, and other relevant case documents, including reports regarding the child except when expressly prohibited by law, rule or court order. Counsel should continue throughout the proceedings to provide client all relevant documents. If the client has difficulty reading, the attorney should read the documents to the client. In all cases, the attorney should be available to discuss and explain the documents to the client.

Notes

La. Admin. Code tit. 22, § XV-1113

Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Public Defender Board, LR 37:323 (January 2011).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 15:148.