What are the penalties for child endangerment charges?

Child endangerment is defined as a criminal offense, which occurs when minor children are exposed to a dangerous situation. Sometimes parents don’t even realize that their behavior has put a child in jeopardy. The penalties for child endangerment vary in each state, with some sentencing the defendant to a year in jail while others may impose a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Child Endangerment Laws

Anytime a parent, caregiver, daycare worker or an individual that is tasked with looking after children puts a minor’s welfare at stake, they can be charged with a crime. The law does not require that the person responsible knowingly acted negligent. They can be held liable even when no actual injury occurred. Examples of endangering the welfare of a child might include:

• Parents who drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol with their children in the car
• Exposing children to pornography, firearms, domestic violence or dangerous chemicals
• Leaving the kids in the car unattended while shopping
• Failing to protect children from a dangerous pet when they are too young to understand the danger
• Parents who fail to seek medical care when the child may require hospitalization
• Engaging in an illegal activity when children are present
• Allowing a child to remain in an abusive situation

Denying food and shelter may even be seen as putting a child at risk.

Penalties for Endangering a Child

Most states prosecute child endangerment as a misdemeanor, but in some cases, the District Attorney can choose to charge the defendant with a felony offense if there were serious aggravating factors involved. The penalties for child endangerment can include:

• Jail time ranging from only a year to twenty years in state prison
• Fines of up to $10,000
• Court ordered educational classes
• Restraining order to keep away from the victim
• Possible loss of custody, either temporary or permanent

In some jurisdictions, child endangerment may fall under the category of child abuse or neglect. These offenses carry fewer penalties.

When to Seek Legal Advice from a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Whenever you are suspected or charged with a crime, it’s best to get advice from a criminal defense attorney. The job of the prosecutor is to put people in jail and punish them for the offense. This is why you need experienced legal counsel to help defend your rights and make sure that the alleged offense wasn’t just trumped up charges by an angry ex-spouse.