Accusations of child endangerment—often referred to as child neglect—are serious criminal matters. If convicted, you could face steep fines and the potential for incarceration. Having a conviction on your record could also negatively impact your child custody rights.
In these situations, it is vital to seek help from a Fort Pierce child endangerment lawyer. To protect your relationship with your child and avoid spending time in jail, put your trust in a dedicated criminal defense attorney. Contact us today.
Child endangerment includes a wide range of criminal acts involving juveniles, including failing to provide a child with basic necessities while in your care.
Not all charges involve neglect. Authorities may accuse you of endangering a child’s safety for leaving them unattended in a car or allowing access to firearms. Some prosecutors treat this offense as domestic violence when a parent-child relationship exists, making it imperative to seek guidance from a Fort Pierce lawyer who knows how to fight child neglect charges.
A child endangerment conviction could result in various court-ordered consequences. For most people, the primary concern in any criminal case is the possibility of incarceration. Depending on the circumstances, these charges may be misdemeanors or felonies, which significantly affects the severity of the sentence. Judges also often impose monetary fines in addition to jail time.
There are also collateral consequences of child endangerment convictions. If you are found guilty, you could lose your job or find it difficult to find work. Having a criminal record can also impact your ability to secure suitable housing or obtain a professional license.
If convicted of a felony, you might lose certain rights related to voting or owning a firearm. To avoid these penalties, it is vital that you have the support of an attorney experienced in child endangerment cases in Fort Pierce.
When you hire a Fort Pierce child endangerment attorney, they will pursue every possible option for defending you from these charges. This starts with identifying the strongest possible defense strategy in your case. Some common examples include:
The state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you endangered a child. If the evidence against you is weak or based on the testimony of witnesses who are not credible, you may be able to argue that prosecutors have not met their burden of proof.
Child endangerment charges apply to someone who is in a position of authority over a juvenile. Only their caregivers can be arrested on this charge, making it a viable defense strategy to argue that the child was never in your care.
One of the most straightforward defenses involves arguing that you never endangered or neglected a child. Some arrests arise from misunderstandings, while others result from false allegations. You may avoid a conviction by proving that you did not place a child in harm’s way.
If you face charges of endangering the welfare of a child, you should seek out legal counsel as soon as possible. The right attorney could help you beat these charges and protect your reputation.
Never assume a conviction is inevitable. Give yourself the best chance at a positive outcome by speaking with a Fort Pierce child endangerment lawyer from Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates today.
Contact us for a free consultation.
