Denver Child Abuse Lawyer

Accusations of child abuse not only cause immediate impact on your finances and freedoms but also have long-term impacts on many areas of your life.  This could leave you feeling drained, unsure of what comes next, and with significant worries about the eventual outcome of your case. A Denver child abuse lawyer can assess the circumstances that led to those accusations and help you develop a defense to protect yourself and your future against domestic violence.

Defining Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse occurs when an act or lack of action by an adult threatens the health or wellness of a child. That could include:

• Lack of proper parental care and support
• Manufacturing controlled substances around the child
• Malnutrition or failure to thrive
• Injury to the child, including bruising or bleeding, broken bones, or burns
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Human trafficking and sexual crimes

Those crimes often carry serious long-term repercussions for the child. Criminal charges related to child abuse or neglect may also mean long-term impact for the accused parent(s) or adult(s) as well, which is why you need a dedicated Denver attorney to help mitigate these effects.

What Are the Penalties for Child Abuse?

The penalties for child abuse in Colorado depend on the severity of the offense, the amount of danger the child was placed in, and whether the parent or other adult knowingly placed the child in danger. The levels of offense are as follows:

• Class 1 misdemeanor: The person acted knowingly or recklessly, and the child abuse resulted in injury other than serious bodily injury
• Class 2 misdemeanor: The person acted with criminal negligence, and the child suffered something other than serious bodily injury
• Class 3 felony: The person acted knowingly or recklessly, and the child abuse resulted in serious bodily injury
• Class 2 felony: The person acted knowingly or recklessly, and the child abuse resulted in death

Depending on the severity of the offense, child abuse can result in jail time and fines. In the case of a Class 2 felony, individuals could face between 8 and 24 years in prison and fines ranging from $5,000 to $1 million. Other offenses might result in shorter jail sentences and lower fines that could nevertheless still have a significant impact on a person’s freedoms and finances. Furthermore, child abuse allegations could lead to the loss of child custody.

Defending Against Child Abuse Charges

Because of the potential severity of child abuse charges, defending against them could prove critical to your future. A Denver child abuse attorney helps defendants develop the best defense for their specific situation, including showing that the allegations are false, providing evidence that a child’s injuries occurred for some other reason, or proving that there is a lack of evidence of any abuse. Establishing your rights and providing an effective defense may make a significant difference in overall outcomes.

Discuss Your Case with a Child Abuse Lawyer in Denver Today

Accusations of child abuse can feel incredibly frightening, especially when you do not know how to defend against them. Working closely with a Denver child abuse lawyer can help you showcase your innocence and fight to protect your freedoms. Contact Petrash Law today to learn more about how to manage your defense following accusations of child abuse, including dealing with law enforcement or prosecution, presenting your case in court, and what defense best fits your needs.