Child Abuse Lawyer in El Paso County - Sawyer Legal Group, LLC

Child Abuse charges in El Paso County can result from any situation where someone harms a juvenile under the age of 16 or places them in harm’s way. There are an especially wide range of penalties for this criminal offense in Colorado Springs, Fountain, and Security-Widefield. These cases often hinge on the level of injury and frequency of abuse. If facing accusations or charges of harming a child, it is imperative that you consult an experienced child abuse lawyer as soon as possible.

What Actions Can Lead to Child Abuse Charges in El Paso County?

C.R.S. 18-6-401 provides the specific details of criminal child abuse in the state of Colorado. Someone commits this crime if they:

cause injury to a child’s health or life,
unreasonably place a child in a harmful situation,
engage in conduct of continuous malnourishment, cruel punishment, lack of medical care, mistreatment, or accumulation of injuries,
DUI or DWAI with a child in the vehicle,
allow a child to be present where illegal drugs are manufactured or located

It is important to note that these are just some of the examples that can lead to charges of child abuse in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and Monument. Unfortunately, police can even charge parents in situations where a young child leaves home without telling their parent or appear to be unsupervised while outside.

How Long Can You Go to Jail for Child Abuse in Colorado?

Each child abuse case is different in El Paso County and so are the consequences of conviction. A lot depends on the age of the child, whether the defendant acted knowingly, recklessly, or negligently, and the severity of injuries. If injuries were minor or didn’t occur at all, misdemeanor child abuse charges apply. Possible penalties include:

up to 18 months in county jail,
as much as $1,000 in fines

Felony child abuse is more complex and often involves serious bodily injury, the adult being a position of trust, or prior convictions. Ramifications in these situations can result in:

1 – 16 years in prison,
fines of $1,000 – $750,000

El Paso County Child Abuse Lawyer

The severity of criminal penalties for child abuse can wreak havoc on a defendant’s life. Years behind bars, steep fines, strict monitoring, and also potential loss of the right to be in your child’s life can all become a reality. Fortunately, a highly skilled child abuse lawyer from Sawyer Legal Group is a phone call away. Perhaps your situation involves a genuine accident or the situation was misinterpreted. Nevertheless, contact our office for a free initial consultation. We will put our expertise into analyzing your unique situation and also suggest next steps to the best possible outcome for you and your family.