Accused of Child Abuse & Neglect in New Jersey?
Contact a Bergen County Criminal Defense Lawyer – (201) 488-7707
Child abuse and neglect are extremely serious crimes and an accusation alone can permanently ruin a person’s reputation and future. Oftentimes charged alongside allegations of domestic violence, child neglect and abuse cases are prosecuted with extreme tenacity and require the trained eye of an experienced attorney in order to be successfully defended against. At Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC, our Bergen County criminal defense attorney understands the severity of your situation and is prepared to fight tooth and nail to preserve your rights and freedom.
Why trust our team of world-class advocates? Consider the following reasons:
- More than 20 years of legal experience
- 10.0 “Superb” Ratings on Avvo
- AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for ethics and skill
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 list inclusion
- Unanimous support from past clients
Do not take any chances with your future – contact us today to review your defense options.
Child Abuse vs. Neglect: What Is the Difference?
Child abuse is a general term that is used to describe the act of knowingly or purposefully inflicting physical or emotional harm to a child. Conversely, child neglect is a more passive act in which a parent fails, for reasons other than poverty, to provide their children with the necessary care, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care to the point where it endangers their wellbeing. In New Jersey, both child abuse and neglect are charged as “Endangering the Welfare of a Child,” a felony offense which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison upon conviction.
Under New Jersey law, the following acts all constitute as abuse or neglect:
- Intentionally causing physical injury to a child
- Causing a substantial risk of death or disfigurement
- Willfully abandoning or isolating a child
- Failing to provide adequate care
It is not uncommon for child abuse cases to be based on exaggerated claims, misremembered events, circumstantial evidence, or even outright false accusations, and can involve a considerable amount of legal gray area. In certain circumstances, even a simple act such as leaving your child in a car while you run to the store may be enough to cause a parent to be accused of abuse or neglect. Our attorney can review the circumstances of your situation and help you pursue the most appropriate course of action.
Discuss Your Charges Today
In addition to criminal consequences, parents accused of child abuse and neglect can potentially lose custody of their child to Child Protective Services (CPS). At Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC, our New Jersey criminal defense lawyer understands what is at stake and is prepared to fight tooth and nail to preserve your parental rights. With personalized attention and a dedication to ensuring no questions go unanswered, we can provide the aggressive representation you need to maximize your chances of getting though this difficult time with your dignity and freedom intact.
Schedule your complimentary case review today to get started.
