Clermont Child Endangerment Lawyer

While the Florida Statutes do not use the term “child endangerment” specifically or define any specific criminal offense with those exact terms, both state law and the various entities charged with enforcing it take the alleged mistreatment and endangerment of children extremely seriously. More specifically, the law generally treats any form of child neglect and abuse severe enough to warrant criminal charges as a felony offense. Family courts can impose various sanctions against you for alleged mistreatment of children, even if you are not convicted of any criminal wrongdoing.

Put simply, child endangerment allegations are complex and high-stakes matters, and seeking help from a qualified domestic violence defense attorney is the first step to effectively handling them. No matter what led to these accusations being levied against you, a Clermont child endangerment lawyer could fight to ensure your case has the most favorable result possible, with consideration for your unique circumstances.

How Does State Law Define “Child Endangerment”?

Most of what people might colloquially refer to as “child endangerment” in Clermont is addressed under Florida Statutes § 827.03. According to this statute, “child neglect” entails a child’s caregiver “willfully or by culpable negligence” allowing that child to be deprived of their basic physical and mental needs. It also applies to failing to make a reasonable effort to prevent that child from being abused, neglected, and/or exploited by another person.

“Child abuse,” on the other hand, entails a caregiver intentionally inflicting physical and/or mental injury on their child, engaging in an intentional act which reasonably could have caused such injury, or actively encouraging another person to act in such a way. Finally, any act of child abuse which directly results in great bodily harm to a child or which involves aggravated battery, willful torture, malicious punishment, or unlawful caging of a child constitutes “aggravated child abuse.”

Fighting Against Criminal Penalties for Child Neglect or Abuse

Child neglect or abuse which does not result in any serious physical harm to the child is a third-degree felony in Florida. Neglect resulting in serious physical harm is a second-degree felony and aggravated child abuse under any circumstances is a first-degree felony offense. Every variant of this charge can result in several years of imprisonment, thousands of dollars in fines, and the permanent loss of certain civil rights upon conviction. There may be other administrative penalties like mandatory anger management or parenting classes.

With this in mind, effective defense strategies against child endangerment allegations in Clermont typically revolve around establishing either that the alleged mistreatment did not actually occur, or showing that the outcome(s) of the mistreatment were not severe enough to warrant a more severe charge. A seasoned criminal defense attorney can provide vital assistance constructing and executing the right defense for your specific situation.

Dealing with Possible Family Court Proceedings

Legal counsel in Clermont can also play a key role in mitigating the consequences that an allegation of child abuse or neglect can have in family court. Even if your criminal charges for alleged child endangerment are dismissed, or if your criminal case ends with an acquittal, you can still face repercussions in family court. The two types of cases will proceed separately from each other with different standards of proof.

Typically, a family court case over alleged child endangerment will begin with an investigation by the Florida Department of Family and Children Services, which may precede criminal charges for endangerment or stem directly from such a charge being filed. Either way, a finding by the Department that you have put your child in harm’s way through serious neglect or abuse may be used to recommend significant sanctions in family court. Those sanctions can go up to, and including, the removal of your children from your home and the permanent loss of parental and custody rights.

Contact a Clermont Child Endangerment Attorney for Assistance

Allegedly endangering a child can have massive repercussions in criminal court and family court, but also in your professional and personal life. Importantly, you have rights when facing accusations of this nature and your future may depend on how well you can enforce them.

A Clermont child endangerment lawyer can discuss your options and potential next steps in detail during a private initial consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.

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    Clermont Child Endangerment Lawyer
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    18.97.14.89