Child abuse charges are a serious offense in the state of Maryland. The child abuse lawyers at Jezic & Moyse are dedicated criminal defense lawyers that will explore every defense to get you the best possible outcome to your trial. Mr. Jezic himself has not lost a child abuse jury trial in Montgomery County in 15 years.
Our defense record speaks for itself, and our experience has made us the best defense option for a child abuse case. We believe that too many defense lawyers jump to plea bargains too early during a trial. They hear some convincing evidence against their client, and they start exploring these options right away.
We do not give up until we’ve tried every possible defense for our clients. If there’s an uncommon or technical defense that fits your charges, our team will figure it out. Our child abuse lawyers in Germantown are some of the toughest attorneys that are skilled at finding creative ways to mount defenses. Just take a look at what our clients have said about us.
Our legal team works hard to defend the people of Germantown, MD. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.
How is Child Abuse Defined in Germantown?
According to Maryland legal code 5-705.1, child abuse is defined as mental or physical injury that harms or risks the health and/or wellness of the child. Child abuse also refers to sexual abuse of a minor. Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual physical contact toward a child. This conduct includes child grooming, indecent exposure, and other sexual acts.
Child abuse can be committed by the following people:
- Parents
- Guardians
- Family members
- Members of the same household
- Authoritative figures
Types of Child Abuse Crimes
A number of different crimes fall under the umbrella of child abuse. These crimes can happen under different circumstances, with different severities, and come with different punishments. Here are some of the different types of child abuse crimes:
- Assault – Physical abuse of a child is considered child abuse and carries legal punishments. Child abuse occurs even if there is no injury as a result.
- Endangerment – Putting a child in direct danger because of your actions even if it was not intentional can be charged as child endangerment.
- Neglect – Neglecting a child can be charged as neglect if you do not adequately provide basic child needs such as food, shelter, or clothing. This extends to emotional, safety, and educational needs as well.
- Sexual abuse – Sexual crimes against a child carry child abuse charges as well as sex crimes against a minor. These penalties can be severe.
- Threats – Verbal threats such as tormenting or harassing a child falls under emotional abuse which is considered child abuse in the state of Maryland.
These different categories of crimes can make your case complex, and choosing the best defense is most important. If you are accused of a child abuse crime in Maryland, it is always best to seek the counsel of an experienced lawyer. A seasoned criminal defense attorney can help you during the trial process, and look into the details of your case to determine the best defense.
Punishments for Child Abuse
Punishments for child abuse charges depend on what crimes you are facing. These crimes can result in a combination of prison time and fines. Different child abuse penalties include:
First Degree Child Abuse
Child abuse in the first degree carries a felony charge and is charged when a child is abused by a parent, guardian, or authoritative figure. The result of the abuse must be a serious physical injury or threaten the child’s health or wellbeing.
In this instance, serious physical harm refers to injuries like brain trauma, extreme malnutrition, or other harm that seriously risks a child’s life.
The punishment for first degree child abuse can include major fines, loss of parental rights, and a max prison sentence of 30 years.
Second Degree Child Abuse
When a child is abused by an older figure and results in injuries that are not life threatening, the second degree child abuse crime carries a felony charge. The punishment for such crimes include major fines, loss of parental rights, and a max prison sentence of 15 years.
Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sexual abuse of a child in Maryland is considered a felony. This crime encompasses many sexual acts against minors. Punishments for such crimes include major fines, loss of parental rights, and a max prison sentence of 25 years. This crime also comes with the required lifetime listing on the national sex offender list.
Child Neglect
Neglect of a child is considered a misdemeanor in Maryland. Neglect occurs when a child’s basic needs are neglected by a parent, guardian, or authoritative figure whether intentional or not. Punishments for child neglect include a max $5,000 fine, loss of parental rights, and a max prison sentence of 5 years.
Work with an Experienced Child Abuse Attorney in Germantown
If you live in Germantown, and you’re facing child abuse charges, your first step should be contacting a criminal defense attorney with experience in child abuse cases. At Jezic & Moyse, we have years of experience with these cases and have the track record to prove we’re some of the best.
Our legal experts will review your case with you, and go over the best possible course of action for mounting the defense that is right for you. We’ll be there every step of the way to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact our law offices in Germantown for a free consultation regarding your case.