Child Endangerment in California
Child endangerment, in a nutshell, involves putting the child in harm's way. It is defined under Penal Code 273a as willfully exposing a child under the age of 18 to unjustifiable pain, suffering, and danger. For example, if you are to drive under the influence of alcohol and a child is in the car, you can be prosecuted for child endangerment because the child is at risk of suffering some form of harm around you.
It is a broad crime that can be prosecuted in a number of ways. However, it is distinct from child abuse because child abuse typically involves harming the child.
What Are The Potential Penalties For Child Endangerment Under Penal Code 273a?
Child endangerment can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and the penalties depend on the severity of the act.
Misdemeanor Child Endangerment in California
Less serious offenses may be classified as misdemeanors. In such a case, the potential penalties aren't stringent but can be life-altering.
Penalties for misdemeanor child endangerment in Riverside County, California include:
- Up to 1 year jail time
- Fines of up to $1000
- Mandatory parenting education classes
- Probation for 4 years
Felony Child Endangerment
On the other hand, if it is established that the child was at risk of death or great bodily injury, then the prosecution may charge the accused with a felony. If the crime is classified as a felony child endangerment, you may be subject to the following penalties:
- Up to 2, 4, or 6 years jail time
- Fine of up to $10,000
- Mandatory child education classes
What Is Required to Establish Child Endangerment Charge In Riverside County?
For the prosecution to be successful, certain elements need to be established. Put briefly, the prosecution will need to demonstrate any of the following:
- You willfully inflicted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child while in your custody
- You were acting with criminal negligence.
- You placed the child in a compromising position that would lead to death or actual bodily harm.
- You acted unreasonably while disciplining the child.
- You acted in a manner that is highly likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
It is important to note that the prosecution will need to prove the facts beyond reasonable doubt for the conviction to be successful.
Top Three Defenses To A Riverside County Child Endangerment Charge
Like most criminal cases, you can't be convicted without being afforded the chance to defend yourself. In essence, a competent and qualified criminal defense attorney can help you build a robust defense.
The following are some of the common defenses that can be invoked in your case:
False Accusations
There are multiple reasons that can lead to a false accusation of child endangerment. For example, you and your partner may be in a custody battle. Therefore, your other partner may find it viable to accuse you falsely in order to gain custody.
If this is the case, your attorney may bring this to the court's attention and seek further investigation into the matter. Consequently, information gathered from text messages, emails or social media may provide sufficient evidence that the accusation of child endangerment is an act of malice.
No Willful Conduct
Child endangerment will be prosecuted as a criminal offense rather than a civil action if willful conduct is involved. As such, by proving that the act was an accident or that it was not intentionally done, may be a defense to any criminal charges.
Reasonable Discipline
If you are a parent, you are allowed to discipline your child. However, the act of discipline must be reasonable. This means that the act should not involve excessive force and, at the same time, the punishment should be warranted.
Reasonable discipline is a question of fact. What might seem reasonable discipline to one person might not seem the same to another person. Therefore, you will definitely need a skilled attorney to help establish that reasonable discipline was applied.
Need Help? Contact A Top Murrieta Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for child endangerment in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Winchester or Hemet, you need a competent and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At the Law Office of Nic Cocis , we have been successfully defending clients facing child endangerment charges in Riverside County for more than two decades. We have the skills to build a robust defense.
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about the potential defenses to a charge of child endangerment in California.