Nassau County Child Endangerment Lawyer

Endangering the welfare of a child is a serious offense in the state of New York. When a child’s life is in danger, law enforcement is proactive and courts are aggressive towards those who put a child in a dangerous situation. The first signs of child endangerment are usually seen by school officials, medical professionals, and other authority figures who know what to look for. These people are called “mandated reporters” because they are legally obligated to report their findings or face potential liability for their inaction. Other individuals are also known to report these matters, including other parents, friends, neighbors, or family members. Unfortunately, the statute that defines endangering the welfare of a child is generally vague and ambiguous. For example, one person may simply disagree with another’s parenting methods, report them, and wrongfully subject them to criminal charges and CPS or ACS matters. Additionally, honest mistakes can subject a person to a criminal investigation, which is unacceptable. If you are charged with child endangerment, you need a Nassau County criminal defense lawyer who can fight for your family and your future. If you need a quality legal team to defend your case, contact KCS Law.

Consequences of Child Endangerment Charges

Depending on the severity of the incident or situation, a child endangerment conviction can be treated either as a misdemeanor or a felony. If convicted, you will face a wide-ranging term of imprisonment and fines. A conviction will also subject you to a permanent criminal record that will affect your life for years to come. The different crimes relating to child endangerment, and their respective penalties, are as follows:

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 daycare provider

Class B Misdemeanor

• Unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree

Class E Felony

• Abandonment of a child
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a child under 16 in the vehicle
• Non-support of a child in the first degree

Compounded sentencing

If you were charged with child endangerment in conjunction with another illegal act, you will most likely face some type of compounded sentencing. This means that you will face an additional charge on top of your child endangerment charge. For example, if you were driving under the influence with a minor in the car, you would face a DWI or DWAI charge, as well as a child endangerment charge in accordance with Leandra’s Law, constituting a Class E felony offense, and ultimately escalating your legal situation.

Contact a Long Island Child Endangerment Lawyer

If you are charged with endangering the welfare of a child, you are facing serious legal ramifications. That is why you need to contact an attorney who can effectively represent your needs. The laws that define child endangerment are so broad that even the most innocent people and parents can become criminals in the eyes of the law. If you need a passionate and aggressive law firm on your side, contact KCS Law for an initial consultation.