Defending New York Clients Charged With Child Endangerment
New York State is serious about protecting the safety and rights of children. Child endangerment is proactively combated in communities. Courts are aggressive when hearing cases regarding the offense. If a person is found guilty of child endangerment, they could face a range of consequences from a misdemeanor to a felony. A criminal conviction takes its toll on a person’s life. If you are found guilty of a crime related to child endangerment, you could be subject to a criminal record that will surely impact your future. When charged with this crime, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The Law Office of Raji S. Zeidan, PC, is an experienced criminal defense law firm serving the Hudson Valley with strong criminal defense. If you need effective legal services, contact our firm for a consultation.
What Is Child Endangerment?
Endangering the welfare of a child covers a wide range of offenses. Simply, it is putting a child in some degree of danger. In some cases, laws are quite vague and innocent people are often accused of the crime while doing nothing wrong. There are even cases where a dispute about parenting styles lead to problems. The first signs of child endangerment are often seen by people “mandated reporters.” These are people that are trained and educated to see the signs and must report any findings to the authorities. These people can include teachers, doctors, and more. The problem lies in the fact that most assessments are subjective unless physical evidence is available. Even though no criminal act took place, it can quickly become a CPS or ACS issue and a matter for law enforcement.
Consequences Of Child Endangerment Charges
Depending on the circumstances, a child endangerment charge is often a misdemeanor or felony. These charges come with varying fines and terms of imprisonment. Below is a sample of crimes and their respective place in the New York Penal Code.
Class A Misdemeanor
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Non-support of a child in the second degree
- Unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree
- Misrepresentation by a child day care provider
Class B Misdemeanor
- Unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree
Class E Felony
- Abandonment of a child
- Non-support of a child in the first degree
Contact An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Raji S. Zeidan is an experienced Dutchess County criminal defense lawyer serving the Hudson Valley. If you are charged with child endangerment, it is important to have effective legal support through this very serious matter. If you need a law firm to fight for you, contact 845-233-6704 for a consultation to discuss your legal matter by calling 845-233-6704 or filling out our online contact form.