Our Firm
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did I Receive an OCFS letter?
Someone called the State Central Register (SCR) regarding your family. OCFS is legally required to notify you in writing that a report was made.
How much time do I have to respond to OCFS?
Deadlines are strict. You have 90 days from the date of the letter to request an amendment. Missing your deadline makes it much more difficult to challenge the finding.
Is an OCFS case a criminal charge?
No. An OCFS matter is administrative, not criminal. However, the same allegations can lead to criminal charges or proceedings in Family Court, so legal representation is important.
What happens at an OCFS hearing?
At an OCFS administrative hearing, OCFS must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the report is supported and involves children. You have the right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by an attorney.
Why should I hire an OCFS lawyer?
OCFS proceedings involve complex regulations, strict deadlines, and high stakes. An experienced OCFS lawyer gathers evidence, challenges weak findings, prepares you for testimony, and protects your rights. Early legal counsel significantly improves your case.
Contact Us
Michael S. Discioarro is a New York-based attorney who specializes in defending individuals against allegations made by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). He is the founder of the Law Offices of Michael S. Discioarro, LLC, and a managing partner at The Alber Firm, P.C.
Background and Experience
Mr. Discioarro began his legal career in 2001 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx. During his five-year tenure as a prosecutor, he handled thousands of cases, including child abuse sex abuse, and domestic violence claims. This experience provided him with an “inside look” at how the city investigates and prosecutes crimes, which he now uses to defend his clients.
Beyond his private practice, he has contributed to the legal field in several ways:
- Academia: He has served as an associate professor of Criminal Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Hunter College
- Authorship: He is a Westlaw author who has written manuals on defending DWI cases and books on family law.
- Media Presence: He frequently appears as a legal commentator on networks such as CNN, Fox News, ABC, and in publications like the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal
Areas of Practice
While he is widely known for ACS Defense, his practice covers several related areas of criminal and family law:
- ACS Investigations: Defending parents during the investigation phase to prevent child removal.
- Article 10 Proceedings: Representing clients in Family Court regarding allegations of neglect or abuse.
- Criminal Defense: Handling charges related to endangering the welfare of a child, sex crimes, and DWI/DUI.
- Appeals: Appealing “indicated” reports to have them changed to “unfounded” and sealed.
Firm Policies and Reputation
The Law Offices of Michael S. Discioarro, LLC operates as a private law firm. Notable aspects of his practice include:
- No Legal Aid: The firm does not accept 18B (court-appointed) assignments or work with legal aid; fees must be paid upfront.
- Multilingual: Mr. Discioarro is fluent in both Spanish and Italian
- Client Feedback: Testimonials often describe him as “attentive,” “direct,” and “knowledgeable about ACS tactics.”
- Clients frequently highlight his ability to navigate the complex procedural differences between New York City’s five boroughs.
He has offices 255 West 34th street and 11 Broadway, New York, NY, by appointment only. Mr. Discioarro provides a 24-hour hotline for those facing immediate ACS intervention.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by your use of this site or by your communication with the firm through this website.
Areas We Serve
Manhattan
| Battery Park City Bowery Chelsea Chinatown Columbus Circle Downtown Manhattan East Harlem East Village Financial District Flatiron District Fort George Gramercy Park Greenwich Village Hamilton Heights Harlem Hell’s Kitchen Hudson Yards Inwood Kips Bay Koreatown Lincoln Square Little Italy | Lower East Side Manhattanville Marble Hill Meatpacking District Midtown Midtown West Morningside Heights Murray Hill NoHo Nolita SoHo South Street Seaport Spanish Harlem Times Square TriBeCa Turtle Bay Union Square Upper East Side Upper Manhattan Upper West Side Washington Heights West Village |
Brooklyn
| Bath Beach Bay Ridge Bedford-Stuyvesant Bensonhurst Bergen Beach Boerum Hill Borough Park Brighton Beach Brooklyn Heights Brownsville Bushwick Canarsie Carroll Gardens Clinton Hill Cobble Hill Coney Island Crown Heights Cypress Hills Ditmas Park Downtown Brooklyn Dyker Heights East New York | Flatbush Flatlands Fort Greene Gerritsen Beach Gowanus Gravesend Greenpoint Greenwood Heights Highland Park Manhattan Beach Marine Park Mill Basin New Lots Park Slope Plum Beach Prospect Heights Prospect Lefferts Gardens Prospect Park South Seagate Sheepshead Bay Stuyvesant Heights Sunset Park Williamsburg |
Queens
| Astoria Auburndale Bay Terrace Bayside Bellaire Bellerose Cambria Heights College Point Corona Douglaston Elmhurst Floral Park Flushing Forest Hills Forest Hills Gardens Fresh Meadows Glen Oaks Glendale Hamilton Beach Hollis Howard Beach Hunters Point Jackson Heights Jamaica Kew Gardens | Koreatown Laurelton Little Neck Long Island City Maspeth Middle Village Murray Hill Ozone Park Queens Village Rego Park Richmond Hill Ridgewood Rosedale South Ozone Park Springfield Gardens Sunnyside Sunnyside Gardens The Rockaways Tudor Village Whitestone Willets Point Woodhaven Woodside Wyckoff Heights |
Bronx
| Allerton Baychester Bedford Park Belmont Bronxdale Castle Hill City Island Co-op City East Tremont Eastchester Fordham Highbridge Hunts Point Kingsbridge Melrose Morris Heights Morris Park Morrisania Mott Haven Norwood | Parkchester Pelham Bay Pelham Gardens Port Morris Riverdale Schuylerville Soundview Spuyten Duyvil Throggs Neck Tremont Van Nest Westchester Heights Williamsbridge |