Loudoun County Child Endangerment Lawyer

Being accused of inadvertently or intentionally putting your child in harm’s way can be a shocking and frustrating experience for any parent, whether you have a prior criminal record or not. You need to take prompt action to contest this allegation, protect your future freedom, and preserve your relationship with your family.

A dedicated Loudoun County child endangerment lawyer could be an irreplaceable ally in fighting alleged charges. Charges along these lines tend to be sensitive and based on qualitative evidence. Having help from a strong-willed domestic violence defense attorney with experience handling similar situations could make a massive difference in receiving a favorable case result.

Defining “Child Endangerment” as a Misdemeanor Offense

Virginia state law does not define child endangerment as a specific criminal offense. Instead, this is a blanket term used to refer to several charges involving a juvenile being put in a situation where they might suffer physical, emotional, or moral injury.

One of the most common statutes brought up in these cases is the Code of Virginia § 18.2-371, which specifically addresses contributing to a minor’s delinquency. Under this section, it is illegal for any person over 18 to knowingly and willingly allow, encourage, or cause an adolescent to become delinquent. This could include situations like leaving a child unsupervised in a parked car or neglecting their basic needs.

Violating this statute is a Class 1 misdemeanor, a conviction that can carry sanctions of up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 maximum fine. However, there are child endangerment offenses that are classified and prosecuted much more harshly, which a proactive Loudoun County attorney could explain more thoroughly.

When Does Child Endangerment Become a Felony?

Anyone who, through a willful decision or failure to act, allows or causes a juvenile in their care to suffer serious injury or neglects to provide necessary care has committed a Class 4 felony offense under VA Code § 18.2-371.1. If severe harm does not result, but a parent or guardian’s actions still indicate reckless disregard for human life, they may be prosecuted under this statute for a Class 6 felony.

Likewise, any person with custody over a child who willfully or negligently puts their health, life, or morals in danger or who allows the minor to be overworked, beaten, or otherwise subjected to cruelty may be prosecuted under VA Code § 40.1-103, a Class 6 felony. A seasoned juvenile endangerment lawyer in Loudoun County could provide further information about these and other state statutes relating to a case.

Contact an Adolescent Endangerment Attorney in Loudoun County For Help on Your Case

Regardless of how they came about, allegations of putting a minor at risk are grave matters in Virginia. Depending on what you allegedly did, as well as the harm your child allegedly sustained, you may face felony-level charges from this type of accusation. Even if this is your first criminal charge, you could still face serious consequences.

It is essential to get guidance from a capable Loudoun County child endangerment lawyer if you are suspected of putting an adolescent in harm’s way. Get in touch with Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law today for a private consultation.