Torrance Child Endangerment Lawyer

Child Endangerment Defense Attorney in Torrance, CA

Child endangerment, more commonly known as child abuse, is criminalized by California Penal Code section 273(a). These cases are prosecuted vigorously by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and, although they can be filed as misdemeanors, prosecutors often file these cases as felonies. A felony child endangerment conviction can land you in the California State Prison for up to six years. Other penalties include lengthy felony (formal) probation, a fine of up to $10,000 and a possible strike on your criminal record. Given these possible consequences, you will want the best legal defense available.

With over 60 combined years of criminal defense experience and powerful credentials, the attorneys at Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, can provide you with vigorous, aggressive, knowledgeable and zealous criminal defense that is virtually unmatched. Our firm has also received positive client testimonials.

You can be convicted of child endangerment if you willfully inflicted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child or allowed another person to do so, allowed the child (or his or her health) to suffer injury or allowed or caused the child to be in a situation where his or her health or body may have been in danger. However, criminal negligence can also result in prosecution for this crime.

Parenting can be a difficult task that requires patience and fortitude. Often, a parent’s behavior can be construed as abusive when in fact it was not. Based on the facts of your case, we may be able to show the prosecutor or a jury that you did not willfully act to inflict harm on the child. We may also be able to convince the prosecutor or a jury that you acted reasonably in disciplining your children, which is a recognized legal right in California.

Contact Our Torrance Child Endangerment Lawyers Today

At Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, our criminal defense lawyers will advance a vigorous defense of your case. Call us at 310-375-5858 or send an email. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Robert Ernenwein is a former Los Angeles deputy district attorney and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He has been selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers for several years and has appeared as a legal analyst on multiple cable news programs, including Fox News.

The lawyers at Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, are experienced and compassionate. Together, they have over 60 years of experience defending people accused of child endangerment.

Child Abuse And Child Endangerment Resources

Child Endangerment And Abuse Cases Require The Help of An Attorney

Parenting requires equal parts patience and perseverance. However, sometimes even ample amounts of these qualities don’t deter parents who are abusive or criminally neglectful of their children.

Other times, mistakes or accidents look like instances of abuse or endangerment, when in reality, you did nothing wrong in parenting your children. In these cases, you need the help of an experienced and aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to prove your innocence.

California child endangerment falls under penal code 273(a), which stipulates that you have committed a crime if you meet any of the following standards:

• You willfully inflicted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child or allowed another person to do so.
• You allowed a child to suffer injury that could have been prevented.
• You allowed or caused a child to be in a situation where his or her health or body was in danger.

The punishment for California child abuse, whether charged as a misdemeanor or felony, can include:

• A prison term of up to six years
• Probation
• Fines up to $10,000
• A possible strike against you on your criminal record

These are hefty penalties for anyone to handle, especially if you believe that you have been wrongly accused or portrayed. It is important that you fight the charges and exercise your sacred right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.