Vernon Endangering the Welfare of a Child Lawyers

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Warren and Sussex County, New Jersey

Endangering Charges in NJ

Endangering the welfare of a child, also known as child endangerment, can take many forms in New Jersey. In fact, the New Jersey Criminal Code outlines various offenses of child abuse and neglect, sexual offenses, and child pornography charges that all fall within the parameters of endangering the welfare of a child. But in all cases of child endangerment, the offense ranges from third to first degree crimes and the penalties are severe. Additionally, certain acts of child endangerment that constitute sex offenses carry enhanced penalties regarding imprisonment, parole ineligibility, parole supervision for life, fines, Megan’s Law sex offender registration, and diagnostic and treatment center evaluations. The bottom line is that endangering the welfare of children is taken very seriously by the criminal justice system in Warren County and Sussex County. If you are facing such charges, you need an experienced and aggressive attorney who can combat the allegations against you.

The criminal defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm have successfully fought countless cases involving endangering the welfare of children on behalf of clients across New Jersey. In fact, we appear in courts in Vernon, Belvidere, Newton, Phillipsburg, Hackettstown, and throughout Sussex and Warren County every day to protect our clients’ innocence. A conviction for child endangerment can impact your freedom, your future, your reputation, and possibly, your child custody arrangement. We understand the gravity of the situation and work tirelessly to defend your rights. To learn more about your endangering the welfare of a child charges and how we can help you fight them, contact our offices anytime at 973-755-1695 for a free consultation. One of our seasoned defense attorneys is available now to assist you.

Endangering the Welfare of a Child Defense Lawyers in Belvidere NJ

According to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4 (a)(1) and (2), any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child or who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21 is guilty of a crime of the second degree; and any other person who engages in such conduct is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

The child endangerment statute also sets forth more specific child endangerment crimes related to creating and distributing images and videos of children engaging in sexual acts. That is, a person commits a crime of the first degree if he causes or permits a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act if the person knows, has reason to know or intends that the prohibited act may be photographed, filmed, reproduced, or reconstructed in any manner. Additionally, a person commits a crime of the second degree if he photographs or films a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act or who uses any device, including a computer, to reproduce or reconstruct the image of a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act. And a person commits a crime of the second degree if, by any means, including but not limited to the internet, he knowingly distributes an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child, knowingly possesses an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child with the intent to distribute that item, or knowingly stores or maintains an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child using a file-sharing program which is designated as available for searching by or copying to one or more other computers

Potential Consequences of Child Endangering Charges in New Jersey

Generally, the penalties for a first degree crime in New Jersey are imprisonment of ten to twenty years and a fine of $200,000 and the penalties for a second degree crime in New Jersey are imprisonment of five to ten years and a fine of $150,000. However, a conviction for child endangerment due to a sex offense will require Megan’s Law registration pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2; additional financial penalties ranging from $750 to $2,000 pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-10; parole supervision for life according to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6.4, parole ineligibility pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2(d)(20), and an Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center evaluation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:47-1.

Contact Lopatcong Endangering the Welfare of a Child Lawyers Today

If you are charged with child endangerment or another criminal offense in Sussex County or Warren County, don’t hesitate to contact the child endangerment defense team at the Tormey Law Firm. Our defense attorneys have the knowledge and experience to combat these charges and minimize the impact they may have on your life. Call 973-755-1695 today for more information.