When a parent or guardian fails to provide for or protect a child’s physical or emotional well-being, they could face a child endangerment charge. But just what is child endangerment? Under Pennsylvania’s child endangerment law, you could face prosecution for suspected child abuse for breaching a duty of care or support to a child under your custody or control. Contact The Zeiger Firm today for a free initial case evaluation with a child endangerment criminal defense lawyer to learn how our firm will fight to protect your rights, reputation, and future after an accusation of violating Pennsylvania’s child endangerment law.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney If Facing Child Endangerment Charges
When you face child abuse charges, having experienced legal representation can make a difference in the outcome of your case. A knowledgeable child endangerment lawyer from The Zeiger Firm understands the consequences you may face from a child endangerment or aggravated assault charge against a child and can help you protect your legal rights and interests by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation and analysis of your charges: We leave no stone unturned in our search for all available evidence in your case, including evidence overlooked by prosecutors.
- Developing a tailored defense strategy: Our team evaluates the facts and evidence to develop a legal strategy around your needs, concerns, and objectives.
- Empowering you to make informed decisions: We take the time to ensure you fully understand the nature of your charges, your legal options, and what to expect when facing the criminal justice system.
- Pursuing a favorable resolution through our negotiation and litigation skills: Our firm has extensive experience at the negotiating table and in court defending the rights and reputations of our clients. We can seek the best possible outcome for you under the circumstances of your case.
We are committed to a successful resolution of your case. Contact us today for your free case review.
What Is Considered Child Endangerment in Pennsylvania?
Child endangerment constitutes the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in PA. Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits this crime when, as a parent, guardian, or person supervising a minor child or a person employing or supervising a guardian or supervisor, commits an offense that knowingly endangers the welfare of a child by violating a duty of care, protection, or support. Furthermore, a person can violate the law by acting in their official capacity to prevent or interfere with the making of a report of suspected child abuse.
Child endangerment constitutes a first-degree misdemeanor by default. If the perpetrator engaged in a course of conduct endangering the welfare of a child or created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, the offense becomes a third-degree felony. However, suppose a perpetrator creates a substantial risk of death or severe physical injury and does so in a course of conduct that endangers the welfare of a child. In that case, the offense becomes a second-degree felony.
Examples of Child Endangerment
Although acts of child endangerment can take many forms, some of the most common examples of the offense include:
- Driving with a child in one’s vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Knowingly serving alcohol or providing drugs to a minor
- Leaving a child in the supervision of another unemancipated minor
- Hiring a person with a history of child or sexual abuse to provide childcare to a minor child
- Imparting corporal punishment that results in severe injuries
- Failing to seek medical attention for a child in physical distress
- Having a child in the presence of drugs or other harmful substances
- Leaving a child unsupervised in an apparent unsafe area
- Leaving unsecured firearms in a residence with an unsupervised child
- Failing to properly secure a child in a motor vehicle as recommended by state and federal regulations
- Failing to report suspected child abuse
Is Child Endangerment a Violent Crime?
In Pennsylvania, child endangerment can, but does not have to, involve violent activity against a minor child victim. Instead, a person can face prosecution for child endangerment in PA by knowingly or intentionally placing a child at risk of physical or emotional harm, even if no harm ultimately comes to the child.
Penalties for Child Endangerment
Penalties for child abuse charges in Pennsylvania include:
- First-degree misdemeanor: Up to five years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $10,000,
- Third-degree felony: Up to seven years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $15,000
- Second-degree felony: Up to ten years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $25,000
Furthermore, a person convicted of child endangerment can face other potential consequences for their conviction, including a listing on the child abuse registry and a criminal record, both of which carry a stigma that can negatively affect their ability to seek employment, housing, or educational opportunities.
Possible Defenses to Child Endangerment
A Pennsylvania child abuse lawyer can help build a strong defense on your behalf, which may include the following:
- Challenging the credibility of evidence: Your lawyer may contest the allegations by challenging the credibility of witnesses and other evidence supporting the prosecution’s case. When credibility is in question, prosecutors may not be able to reach their heavy burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The defendant’s actions did not endanger the welfare of a child: Defendants facing child abuse allegations or endangerment charges may argue through their lawyer that their actions did not create a risk of physical or emotional harm to a minor child.
- The defendant did not qualify as a parent, guardian, or supervisor of a child: Child endangerment cases must involve individuals who were parents, guardians, or supervisors of a child. Your lawyer may be able to reasonably argue that these facts did not apply to your case to fight the criminal charges.
- The police unlawfully obtained evidence or statements: Your criminal defense lawyer may seek to exclude evidence or inculpatory statements from the prosecution’s case by arguing that police officers conducted a search or interrogation that violated your constitutional rights.
Contact The Zeiger Firm for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve been charged with the endangerment of a child, a Philadelphia child abuse lawyer with The Zeiger Firm can help you seek a favorable resolution to your case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a child endangerment attorney to discuss your legal options for protecting your rights, reputation, and freedom against a child endangerment charge.
