Guiding Your Kids Through Traumatic Parental Arrest
Let’s talk about every parent’s worst nightmare. And if this isn’t your worst nightmare already, it’s going to be up there after this video. What do you do when your kids see the other parent get arrested? Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa arrest attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost eight years now, and I want to help you make law easy by talking about what to do if your kids are unfortunately in a situation where they see their other parent getting arrested.
This situation comes up more often than you’d think — whether it’s a routine traffic stop that results in an arrest, police responding to an incident at home, or a 911 call that ends with one parent being taken away in handcuffs while the kids watch. So, what should you do?
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Children
First and foremost, make sure the children aren’t put back into that situation. If you’re the non-custodial parent and the custodial parent was arrested, pick up your kids as soon as possible. Then, contact an attorney right away to file for an emergency custody order to ensure their safety.
If you’re the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent was arrested during a visit, take immediate legal action to suspend their visitation. This doesn’t necessarily mean custody or visitation will be permanently revoked, but it does show the court that you are taking the necessary steps to protect your children from further distress.
Long-term Considerations and Emotional Support
These situations are incredibly difficult for both parents and children. Seeing a parent get arrested is traumatic, and ideally, no child should ever have to experience it. The best advice? Avoid actions that could lead to an arrest in front of your kids. But if you’re already in this situation, or your co-parent has been arrested in front of your children, the priority is making sure they are safe and shielded from further harm.
If you have questions or need legal guidance on how to handle this, reach out. I’m here to help you navigate the next steps.
Take the First Step with a Strategy Session
My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for a low-cost initial strategy session to discuss your case and explore your options. Call me at 918-879-1681 to set up an appointment and ensure your children are protected from traumatic legal situations.
