Child endangerment is a serious offense that is difficult to define and carries heavy penalties. It’s critical to understand the potential consequences if you’ve been charged with or suspected of child endangerment. Read on to discover more about them, and then call Chambers Law Firm for a free legal consultation at 714-760-4088.
Child endangerment is a thorny issue
Child endangerment can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, making it a more complicated violation. Whether or not the youngster was hurt or placed in a particularly risky environment determines the distinction. Your criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate a felony charge being lowered to a misdemeanor, which carries a less harsh sentence.
You might be sentenced to jail or prison
You might face up to a year in prison if you are convicted of misdemeanor child endangerment. If you are convicted of a felony, though, you might face a sentence of up to 10 years in jail. The severity of the child’s injuries, your criminal history, and other variables all play a role.
Probation may be ordered by the court
It’s possible that you’ll be sentenced to probation. In most cases, this will last around a year. It necessitates that you report to a probation officer and obey their orders. It’s possible that you’ll be obliged to attend family counseling. It’s possible that you’ll be obliged to work. If you do not adhere to the terms of your probation, you may be sentenced to jail or prison.
You may be subject to fines
The amount of your penalties, like your jail time, will be primarily determined by whether you were convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony conviction can result in a punishment of up to $10,000, however most misdemeanor fines do not exceed $1,000.
It’s possible that you’ll lose your parental rights
The loss of parental rights is the toughest aspect for many individuals. If the kid the offender was found guilty of endangering was their own child, this is likely to be the case. The other parent will be given custody by the court. If neither parent is appropriate, the court will appoint a guardian or refer the kid to state child services. Even if the kid who was threatened was not their own, this can happen if the parent goes to jail.
With the assistance of a criminal defense attorney, you can fight your charges
Even though the path ahead of you appears to be rough, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Chambers Law Firm. We’ve dealt with many situations like yours throughout the years. For a free legal consultation to see how we can help you and what defense alternatives you have, call us immediately at 714-760-4088.
