Have you been arrested for child endangerment? Do you have questions about your charges, the penalties you face or how to best resolve your case?
Contact a Los Angeles Child Endangerment Attorney Today!
Contact the Law Offices of Daniel R. Perlman in Los Angeles, California. Our Los Angeles child endangerment defense lawyers are pleased to offer a free consultation to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about your case. If retained, our Los Angeles attorneys will use our experience and knowledge of California law to protect your rights. Call 213-514-8324 or e-mail us for your free case evaluation.
California’s Child Endangerment Laws
Child endangerment under California Penal Code 273(a) may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. The prosecutor has the discretion to determine whether he or she will charge you with a misdemeanor or felony offense. If your actions put a child at risk of great bodily harm, the prosecution will likely charge you with a felony offense.
It is important to understand that your child does not have to suffer any actual injuries. The California Penal Code states that you may be found guilty of child endangerment if you willfully cause or permit a child to be placed in a situation where the child is endangered. For example, if you intentionally leave a child in a hot car for several hours unattended, you could be convicted of child endangerment even if the child suffers no injuries.
Defenses to a Child Endangerment Charge in Los Angeles
As experienced Los Angeles child endangerment lawyers, there are many ways by which we can raise a strong defense on your behalf. If you want to fight your charges at trial, we have the trial experience to provide a vigorous defense on your behalf in the courtroom. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you acted willfully (with intent) or permitted a child to be placed in danger. Moreover, the danger must entail a risk of great bodily harm. Our attorneys will hold the prosecution to its burden of proof.
Minimizing Penalties and Consequences
If the prosecution has a strong case and you do not want to fight your charges at trial, there are many ways we can help you minimize the penalties and adverse consequences arising from your charges. Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to obtain a plea agreement that will help you avoid a criminal conviction, plead guilty to a lesser offense, or reduce the penalties you would otherwise face if convicted at trial.
Our Los Angeles attorneys improve our clients’ odds of obtaining a favorable plea in two primary ways. First, we demonstrate to the prosecution that we are ready to raise a strong defense at trial if necessary to protect our clients’ rights. Second, we encourage our clients to take advantage of parenting classes, drug or alcohol treatment, counseling services, and other measures that demonstrate they take their charges seriously and are willing to take proactive measures to prevent future situations that may impact a child’s safety.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles child endangerment attorneys, call 213-514-8324 or contact us by e-mail.
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