Child abuse is a serious allegation which may have a devasting effect on a person’s life. Considering the ramifications an allegation may have on your livelihood and lifestyle, such as Jail time and a requirement to register on the Sex Offender Registry, it is imperative to seek legal assistance to help you combat any related charges.
If you have been formally accused of abusing a child, you should immediately reach out to one of our experienced domestic violence Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert for help with building a convincing defense. A Boca Raton child abuse Lawyer may be able to sit with you to review the circumstances of your offense and help you develop strategies to fight against this allegation.
What is Child Abuse?
According to Florida Statue § 827.03(1b), child abuse occurs when there is an intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child. Florida’s Law Enforcement is swift to act when they believe that an act of child abuse is taking place. However, different regulations may apply to a child abuse allegation. Some of these rules include the following:
- Abuse and aggravated abuse of a child
- Neglect of a child
- Contributing to the delinquency of a child
- Sexual performance of a child
- Unlawful desertion of a child
The purpose of child abuse laws is to protected children from any serious harm. However, an overzealous prosecutor or law enforcement agent could accuse you of committing this offense based on insufficient evidence. A Boca Raton child abuse Lawyer could examine the allegations made against you and argue whether the prosecution’s argument is baseless.
Penalties for Child Abuse in Boca Raton
Child abuse is one of the more seriously prosecuted crimes and offenses in Florida. If you are accused, you should expect a lengthy Jail sentence to be handed following a potential conviction. Depending on the degree of your charge, you may be facing a Jail sentence of five to 30 years. Repeat offenders may also be subject to a life sentence. Given the extreme lengths, a prosecutor may take to ensure a conviction, defendants are strongly encouraged to hire a child abuse Attorney in Boca Raton for immediate legal assistance.
Aggravated Child Abuse
You may be accused of committing aggravated child abuse if it is believed that you committed the aggravated battery of a child. You could also be charged with this offense if you tortured or maliciously punished a child. An act of willful abuse that causes permanent disability or disfigurement may also necessitate an aggravated child abuse charge. The penalty for this offense would be that of a first-degree Felony offense. In the State of Florida, this offense may warrant a Jail sentence of 30 years.
Responsibility of a Caregiver
A Caregiver is required to provide a child with care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the child’s overall health and safety. When this responsibility has not been met, a Caregiver may be accused of child neglect, which would merit a child abuse charge. A Caregiver could also be held criminally responsible if they failed to make a reasonable effort to maintain the safety of a child from the exploitation of another person.
Reach out to a Boca Raton Child Abuse Attorney
The role of a parent or guardian is vital to a child’s life. However, along with that title comes specific duties imposed by law. Sometimes a mistake or misunderstanding could result in the government investigating and accusing you of committing this offense. A Boca Raton child abuse Lawyer may be able to protect your rights and help you to achieve a favorable outcome. To get started on your case, be sure to schedule a consultation with one of our hard-working Former Prosecutors at Leifert & Leifert today.
