Can a Parent Be Charged with Murder If They Fail to Protect Their Child?
Can a Parent Be Charged with Murder If They Fail to Protect Their Child? The loss of a child is a devastating tragedy, but when it happens due to a parent's failure to protect, the legal system can come into play in profoundly complex ways. California law holds parents and guardians accountable for the welfare of their children, and in certain instances, failing to fulfill this duty can lead to…
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Child Services Agencies Have to Follow Up After Child Removal Proceedings
Child Services Agencies Have to Follow Up After Child Removal Proceedings In a significant ruling that highlights the importance of proper procedure in child welfare cases, a California appellate court recently reversed a juvenile court's decision to remove two minors from their father's custody. This case gives insights into the legal standards required for child removal and the crucial role of reasonable efforts by child welfare agencies. Background of the…
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How to Fight Child Endangerment Charges (PC 273a)
How to Fight Child Endangerment Charges (PC 273a) Child endangerment is a very serious crime in California. Under California Penal Code Section 273a, you could face up to six years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines if you are convicted of felony child endangerment. That is why it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you if you are accused of child endangerment.…
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Can You Be Charged with Child Endangerment if You Left Your Child with a Family Member Who Injured Your Child? (PC 273a)
Can You Be Charged with Child Endangerment if You Left Your Child with a Family Member Who Injured Your Child? (PC 273a) Most people think of the crime of child endangerment as an act of physical harm done to a child. However, there are situations where you could be charged with a crime even though you never actually touched the alleged victim. You could be charged with child endangerment if…
Read MoreAre You Violating California Law If You Spank Your Child?
Are You Violating California Law If You Spank Your Child? From Spock to Dr. Phil to the ‘Tiger Mom’, there are thousands of books on what the authors believe are the best parenting techniques. There are almost as many opinions on child rearing as there are parents, and for many the topic of corporal punishment is a central feature. Sometimes spanking is portrayed as an important part of child discipline.…
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How to Prove False Allegations of Child Abuse
How to Prove False Allegations of Child Abuse Child abuse can take many different forms, including neglect, physical abuse, family violence, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. The effects of abuse can manifest themselves immediately or remain hidden until unexplained symptoms reveal the effects years after the abuse took place. Under California Penal Code Section 273(d), you could face up to six years in prison if you are convicted of felony…
Read More5 Unusual Cases of Child Abuse
5 Unusual Cases of Child Abuse Every year, more than 3 million reports of alleged child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children throughout the country.1 While child abuse can be committed in a multitude of forms, the punishment for a conviction can be severe. The following cases of alleged child abuse shed light on how vast the realm of this crime is. Ideally,…
Read MoreWhat Charges Can You Face for Leaving Your Child in a Car? (California Penal Code Section 273a)
What Charges Can You Face for Leaving Your Child in a Car? (California Penal Code Section 273a) Christina Moon was having a hectic day when she went to return an item to her local J.C. Penney. With her daughter exhausted and already occupied with a movie in the back of her SUV, she pulled into the parking lot. As soon as she approached the store, the four-year-old girl began to…
Read MoreWhat are Mandatory Reporting Laws? (Penal Codes 11164 – 11174.3)
What are Mandatory Reporting Laws? (Penal Codes 11164 – 11174.3) The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) pursuant to Penal Codes 11164 through 11174.3 is a body of California laws designed to protect children from suffering harm. California law requires people in positions of authority over children to report known or suspected abuse or neglect. Adults should always report any instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.…
Read MoreConsequences of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in Ventura County (PC 288.5)
Consequences of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in Ventura County (PC 288.5) Many people, including lawmakers, consider sexual abuse of a child the most serious crime a person can commit. “Child molestation” is often thought of as worse than murder due to the lifelong psychological trauma a child may suffer as a result of the abuse he or she may have suffered. Law enforcement personnel throughout California take a…
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