Child endangerment charges can upend your entire life. A conviction can lead to prison time, fines, parole or community supervision, and even registration as a sex offender. The consequences extend beyond criminal punishments and damage your reputation. An accusation of child endangerment can lead to the removal of your children, impact divorce and custody decisions, and result in lost jobs and work opportunities.
This damage may be impossible to control even when the charges are dropped or you are found not guilty because people may treat you like a child abuser. Just having the charges on your record can impact your employability. These charges can ruin relationships, marriages, and families. It is essential to get the help of a Piscataway child endangerment lawyer as soon as you believe you may be a suspect. Jennifer L. Marshall is a fearless criminal defense attorney who can be your one-two punch in the courtroom.
New Jersey Revised Statutes § 2C:24-4 covers three types of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. The statute addresses abuse by caregivers and others. Child endangerment is generally a third-degree felony. When a caregiver is the abuser, the crime is a second-degree felony.
A child is any person under the age of 18. The statute refers to additional statutes to define abuse and neglect. For sexual abuse, it prohibits any behavior that would debauch or impair the child’s morals. A sexual abuse conviction can also lead to designation as a sex offender and mandatory registry on the sex offender list.
In addition to direct offenders, child endangerment charges can also apply to people who participate in some way in child abuse. For example, people who distribute child sexual abuse materials, also known as child pornography, could be guilty of child endangerment.
There are potentially severe consequences for anyone facing child endangerment allegations. It is vital to talk to an attorney in Piscataway to learn about available options.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect. Abuse includes any behavior that can lead to decreased physical, emotional, or sexual health. Neglect is the failure to provide:
Poverty is a defense for neglect allegations. If a parent is not financially able to provide the necessary things, then it is not neglect.
DCF relies on New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 9:6-1 and New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 9:6-8 to define abuse. It includes:
These decisions are complicated because some of the standards are subjective. Reasonable people can disagree about whether a child is socially deprived, whether labor is dangerous, and whether physical or mental pain is necessary.
Sexual abuse allegations are less subjective, but descriptions of harmless behavior can overlap with descriptions of sexual abuse. Sexual conduct is not limited to assault. It can include any sexualized behavior, depending on the context. A Piscataway attorney who handles child endangerment cases can investigate whether the allegations meet the legal standards.
Child endangerment charges are severe and have substantial criminal, civil, and social consequences. Even if you are not convicted, the charges can damage relationships and reputations and threaten your livelihood. Contacting a Piscataway child endangerment lawyer who understands what you are going through as soon as you realize you are a suspect can help protect your way of life. When there is insufficient evidence to convict you, an attorney could help you avoid an arrest. Schedule a consultation to learn more.