Discipline for a former Indiana Department of Child Services staff attorney who falsely signed dozens of agency documents was affirmed by the Indiana Supreme Court. Photo by Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle.

By Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANA — Disciplinary action for a former Indiana Department of Child Services staff attorney who falsely signed dozens of agency documents during his tenure was issued by the state’s highest court last week, including a three-month suspension from practicing law.

Court records show Robert T. Miller “engaged in attorney misconduct” by signing family case managers’ names to Child in Need of Services petitions “without their knowledge or consent.”

A CHINS petition is filed when a child is believed to be the victim of abuse or neglect and is not receiving the care they need. When a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is received, DCS can assign a family case manager who will conduct an assessment by visiting and interviewing the child, the child’s siblings, parents and others.

During the assessment, case managers may offer services to the child and parents. If neglect or abuse is substantiated, the family case manager can request for a DCS attorney to file a CHINS petition in juvenile court – which could result in a child’s removal from the parents’ home.

In 38 such petitions filed between April 2022 and April 2023, Miller signed the names of family case managers “without their knowledge or permission,” according to the Indiana Supreme Court ruling. There is “no evidence” that anything besides signatures were falsified in the CHINS petitions, however.

During the time in question, Miller was assigned to the DCS office shared by Newton and Benton Counties and was responsible for preparing and filing CHINS petitions.

Court records show that upon learning of his misconduct, DCS ultimately fired Miller.

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission — tasked with reviewing complaints made against Indiana attorneys — filed its disciplinary complaint against Miller on July 11. Both parties submitted a conditional agreement to the high court justices the following day.

They agreed in their Aug. 30 ruling that Miller violated three Indiana Professional Conduct Rules:

• knowingly making a false statement of fact to a tribunal
• engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and
• engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice

Taking into account Miller’s “lack of prior discipline and his lengthy career of public service,” the court agreed that a 120-day suspension from practicing law — with automatic reinstatement afterwards — is “appropriate.” He must also pay $250 to the court to cover administrative costs, according to the order.

Miller’s suspension is set to begin Oct. 11.

Although similar, prior cases have resulted in “reprimands or short suspensions,” the state supreme court justices emphasized that Miller’s conduct “had the potential for significant injury due to the fundamental interests at stake in CHINS proceedings,” warranting “more severe discipline.”

“We have repeatedly lamented the fundamental breach in trust posed by attorneys who falsely sign or notarize legal documents,” the justices wrote in their ruling.

“That such misconduct often has been motivated by considerations of expediency rather than selfishness does little to lessen the impact of the deceit upon courts, parties, and public confidence in the legal system.”