A person could be charged with child abuse for acts ranging from neglect to physical battery. If you are being investigated for child abuse, it is in your best interests to work with a Plantation child abuse Lawyer. By working with one of our skilled criminal Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert, you could protect your legal rights throughout the investigation and beyond. To get started on your case, be sure to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
Consequences of Committing a Child Abuse Offense
The Florida Statutes § 827.03 prohibits the abuse of children and distinguishes between two degrees of abuse: child abuse and aggravated child abuse. Child abuse is defined as intentionally inflicting mental or physical injury on a child. Further, actively encouraging another person to inflict harm upon a child also constitutes child abuse.
Aggravated child abuse occurs when aggravated battery is committed on a child by maliciously punishing, willfully torturing, or willfully and unlawfully caging a child. Aggravated child abuse also occurs when a person knowingly or willfully abuses a child and causes permanent disability, great bodily injury, or permanent disfigurement to the child.
Child abuse is a third degree Felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Aggravated child abuse is charged as a first degree Felony and is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A Plantation child abuse Lawyer could provide you with further explanation about the difference between charges of child abuse versus aggravated child abuse.
Penalties Following a Child Neglect/Abuse Case
The same statute prohibiting child abuse and aggravated child abuse also prohibits the neglect of a child. Child neglect occurs when:
- A caregiver or parent fails to provide the care, supervision, and services needed to maintain the mental and physical of a child, or
- A caregiver or parent fails to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from neglect, abuse, or exploitation by another person
Child neglect is a third degree Felony and is punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and up to five years imprisonment. Child neglect is punished as a second degree Felony if a child suffers great bodily harm, disfigurement, or disability as a result of the neglect. Second degree felonies are punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and up to 15 years imprisonment.
Child Pornography Laws and Penalties
It is illegal to possess child pornography materials, including photographs and videos, either for personal use or with the intent to promote those materials. Possession with the intent to promote is a second degree Felony punishable by the same penalty as for child abuse.
Possession of child pornography materials without the intent to promote them is a third degree Felony punishable by a five years imprisonment and a fine up to $5,000.
Contact a Child Abuse Attorney in Plantation
You do not need to fight charges of child abuse on your own. A Plantation child abuse Lawyer who understands child abuse laws could fight on your behalf to secure the best resolution possible in your case.
With an Attorney on your side, you could have someone fighting for you and safeguarding your constitutional rights. Contact one of our aggressive criminal Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert to get started on your case today.
