Contacting an Oakland Risk of Injury to a Minor Attorney

Anyone facing charges for risk of injury to a minor or child endangerment should contact an Oakland defense lawyer as soon as possible. Not only could a convicted defendant face substantial fines, but they may also be subject to incarceration. If you have been arrested for child endangerment, contacting an Oakland risk of injury to a minor attorney should be your first step. It is critical to have a skilled legal team fighting diligently to make headway in your case.

How an Attorney Could Build a Defense

Professional legal representation could be the difference between incarceration and freedom. A criminal defense lawyer could conduct legal research, file relevant and appropriate motions, negotiate with prosecutors, and litigate on the accused’s behalf. Most importantly, the attorney could help establish and build applicable defenses, such as proving that somebody else actually put the child at risk, proving that the child was not actually in danger, or proving that the endangerment was accidental and not done willfully.

Child endangerment cases often involved a number of external variables that a defense attorney may need to keep in mind during a defense. If a defendant is placed on probation, for example, they may face mandatory counseling classes or protective orders which could impact child custody arrangements. Also, local social services will likely conduct their own investigation into child endangerment allegations, which would involve sending a social worker to the house and asking questions of the child.

Each of these variables could complicate a case, and the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer who is well-versed in child endangerment and child abuse could be critical to reaching the best possible outcome.

Department of Children and Families

If somebody is charged with child endangerment, the Department of Children and Families has the opportunity to investigate the circumstances behind the charge and ensure that the health and safety of the child are protected. The speed with which they respond, and the depth of their investigation, will likely depend on the seriousness of the allegations.

In some situations, the Department of Children and Families may investigate a household and simply recommend family counseling. In more serious situations, however, social services has the right to file a petition in dependency court seeking the removal of the child due to a credible threat to the child’s safety.  It will then be up to the dependency court whether reunification between parent and child is permissible.

When to Contact an Oakland Risk of Injury to a Minor Attorney

If you have been arrested for risk of injury to a minor, now is the time to contact a lawyer. Child endangerment penalties could be severe, and a conviction may harm your ability to retain custody of your children. If you are facing charges, contacting an Oakland risk of injury to a minor attorney may be essential to preserving your freedom and protecting your constitutional rights. Reach out to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.