Child Endangerment – BG OH Criminal Lawyer

Child endangering charges can pop up when an unsuspecting parent leaves children in a car unattended, or children leave a home and are found unattended in public. Like other misdemeanors of the first degree, misdemeanor child endangering is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine, even for a first offense. Probation is certainly a possibility. Depending on the circumstances, it is possible to get such a charge reduced to a lesser offense, for example, disorderly conduct, which carries far less significant consequences. Leaving children – or pets – in a car unattended is never a good idea. Notwithstanding the child’s age, and even if you think the child or children are old enough to tend to themselves, the public – and police – may have a different point of view. So even though it is convenient and saves times, leaving children in a car unattended can often garner unwanted attention for you, and leave your children at risk, whether or not the car is running. In the past, I have had success getting child endangering charges reduced to disorderly conduct. That’s no guarantee in your case, but is an example of how an aggressive attorney can look into your case, help you, and represent you passionately. If you have a prior conviction for child endangering, and are charged again with the same offense in the future, it would rise to the level of a felony. Other factors can also change this misdemeanor level offense into a felony. Another common occurrence of child endangering occurs when police charge an intoxicated driver with this offense, for operating while intoxicated with children in the car. Specifically, child endangering can occur when a specified person causes a “substantial risk to the health or safety of the child, by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.” In any case, if you are charged with child endangering – or any other offense – juvenile, traffic, criminal – you need a local attorney who can provide you an ardent defense.