Richmond Risk of Injury to a Minor Lawyer
When a person leaves a child unattended in a car, they may be charged with abuse and neglect of a child. This offense may be charged as a class 4 felony. If convicted, individuals may find it difficult to live a normal life after their punishment has been served.
If you have been accused of risking injury to a minor or endangering their safety, reach out to a Richmond lawyer today. With a skilled attorney at your side, you may be able to organize the details of your case in a way that would help you build a solid defense. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
Who Investigates Claims of Risk of Injuries to Minors?
Child Protective Services (CPS) investigates claims of abuse by speaking with the child and the parents to make decide the validity of the claims of abuse or violence. If the CPS investigation determines there is a legitimate claim of abuse, they would work together with the Sheriff’s Office in their investigation, to oversee what is best for the child going forward. Even if the parents win the criminal case, they could still lose custody of their child. On the other hand, the parents could lose a criminal case and keep custody of their child.
Differences Between Mental Health and Physical Well-Being of a Child
There is an obvious difference between the mental health and physical well-being of a child. Mental abuse is not easily detectable and not something that people are charged with because mental abuse is very difficult to prove. It is hard also to differentiate between mental abuse and parenting styles. Physical abuse usually leaves bruising or broken bones. A much wider girth is given to individuals who are disciplining without the physical aspect, although in Virginia, corporal punishment is legal.
Laws Regarding Corporal Punishment and Physical Discipline of a Child
Corporal punishment is legal in Virginia. However, there is a list of criterions that the courts look at to determine if the corporal punishment was reasonable. Ultimately, the court needs to determine whether the force used to provide the punishment was reasonable. As an example, if the child engaged in conduct that the court would deem minimal but was punished with very aggressive force, that force may be deemed unreasonable, and thus, corporal punishment was unreasonable in that situation.
Importance of Retaining Legal Assistance
In a child endangerment case, a lawyer’s main responsibility is to protect the accused individual from the police, the CPS, and from saying or doing anything that would worsen their situation. In addition, an attorney could provide them with valuable guidance regarding who they should and should not talk to regarding the case.
If you have been accused of this offense, reach out to an experienced attorney today. With a legal advocate ready to fight on your behalf, you may be able to build a convincing defense for yourself. To get started on a case, schedule a consultation today.
