A charge of child abuse is very serious, and can change the course of your life forever. With more of an emphasis being placed on all types of abuses, more people are less apprehensive about reporting abuses they witness. An allegation of child abuse can come from anyone. Here is some more information about child abuse, and why you need an attorney who specializes in the field if you have been accused of abuse against a child.
A Lack of Knowledge
It is important to understand, anyone who is around children needs to be make sure they are familiar with what classifies as child abuse. This is important because approximately 14 percent of child abuse cases reported are crimes committed by people who had no idea they were committing a crime. For instance, you may not realize withholding food or beverages from a child is an act of abuse. A child abuse attorney has the ability to review your situation and determine the best way to present you in court.
Exposure to Alcohol and Drugs
There have been cases where parents or other adult figures have given children sips of alcohol on special occasions, and have found themselves in hot water. In other cases, women who exposed their unborn children to drugs by either ingesting them, or placing themselves in unsafe environments have been charged with child abuse. If you are in a situation where your choice is either to live as a homeless person, or to live in a structure where illicit drugs are prevalent, a child abuse attorney would be able to examine your circumstances and formulate the best possible case for you.
Loss of Employment
Child abuse, no matter the circumstances is a crime. A conviction can cause you to not only spend time in jail, but can prevent you from being able to gain certain types of employment. For example, people who have been convicted of child abuse are not allowed to work in schools, daycare centers or nursing homes. In more severe cases of child abuse, you could be charged with a felony. In many states, if you have been convicted of a felony, you lose your right to vote.
If you have been accused of child abuse of any kind, the first thing you need to do is seek the services of an attorney who has experience trying child abuse cases. You need an attorney with the dedication and the experience to build a strong case, and provide you with the support you need, because your livelihood, and the stability of your family depends upon it.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.