The law makes every effort to protect and support children, and there are consequences that come to anyone who places them in danger. That’s why a conviction for endangering the welfare of a child can carry such steep consequences.
If you have been accused of endangering the welfare of a child, it is critical that you explore your legal options right away. Our compassionate defense attorneys can help you navigate the system and push back against these allegations. In many cases, our Cranberry Township child endangerment lawyers are able to have charges dropped completely.
In Pennsylvania, child endangerment is defined as knowingly placing a minor in a situation that threatens their safety, welfare, or well-being. In Cranberry Township, this charge most often arises when a parent, guardian, or another person responsible for a child’s care engages in conduct that could reasonably be expected to harm the child, even if no injury actually occurs. Prosecutors must generally prove two key elements: first, that the accused had a duty of care for the child, and second, that they violated that duty by creating a risk of harm.
Child endangerment is taken seriously because it focuses on the protection of minors from both physical and emotional harm. Depending on the circumstances, the charge can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, with penalties that may include jail time, fines, and lasting impacts on custody rights.
Examples of conduct that may be considered child endangerment include:
If you have been accused of child endangerment in Cranberry Township, let our dedicated attorneys help you fight back. Reach out to learn how we can help today.
Every child endangerment case is unique, but our Cranberry Township attorneys always have the same goal: securing you the best possible outcome. For most people, the ideal result involves the dismissal of all charges without the need for a trial. While there are options for the state to re-file those charges, having the case dropped usually means you can put this difficult situation behind you.
Even when you have a strong defense strategy, there are times when the prosecution will not willingly drop your charges. In that scenario, your best bet might be to take the case to trial. Of course, there are risks in facing a jury. While you could be found guilty, an acquittal means that the state is barred from ever trying to bring charges against you in the future.
Finally, you might also face a situation where the prosecutors likely have enough evidence to secure your conviction. When that happens, our attorneys can help you weigh your options and potentially negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf. Depending on your criminal history and the allegations against you, it might be possible to work out a deal that leaves you without a permanent mark on your criminal record.
If you have been accused of endangering the welfare of a minor, it is vital to act fast. Any delay could work against you, making it harder to get the fair outcome you deserve.
Our attorneys are all former prosecutors, and that experience gives them an advantage when it comes to building a defense strategy of negotiating a plea bargain. Call today to learn how our Cranberry Township child endangerment lawyers can help.