Misdemeanor Child Abuse Charge (no injury) in Colorado
A criminal charge is devastating. A child abuse charge is beyond devastating. The stigma and vast legal ramifications associated with child abuse are staggering.
At Albani Law, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients facing child abuse charges. If you or a loved one are facing a child abuse charge, call us immediately at (303) 753-0900.
Collateral Consequences of Child Abuse
Beyond the penalties associated with a criminal charge, the crime of child abuse carries a wide array of legal consequences. You will face:
- loss of your ability to parent your child
- loss of visitation
- loss of employment/career
- loss of a professional license
- placement on a child abuse register
- You should immediately seek legal representation
A person commits child abuse (no injury) if he/she unreasonably places a child in a position where an injury can occur, even if no injury results. CRS 18-6-401. A “child” is someone under the age of 16 years old. See CRS 18-6-401 (2).
Where the child abuse results in no injury, the charge is generally a class three misdemeanor. A class three misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine. A sentence to probation may be allowed.
Prior Conviction
However, if an offender has a previous child abuse conviction in Colorado or any other state or territory of the United States, the charge becomes a class five felony.
Drunk Driving—Child in Vehicle
A charge of child abuse—no injury frequently arises if a parent is stopped for drunk driving and there is an infant or young child in the back seat.
This charge of child abuse commonly arises when a child is not properly secured in a car seat.
Unattended Child in Vehicle
A charge of child abuse will be filed if the offender leaves a child unattended in a vehicle. You should NEVER leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Not for any length of time nor for any reason. Temperatures can quickly soar in an unattended vehicle and the risks to the child are extreme.
Why Hire an Attorney?
An experienced defense attorney will try to mitigate the charge of child abuse and get you your life back. A defense attorney will try to help the District Attorney understand that his client made a mistake and is taking the steps needed to correct the errant conduct. An experienced defense lawyer will look at options to remove the case from under the child abuse umbrella.
Parenting Classes—NCTI
The National Corrective Training Institute offers parenting classes. You should immediately contact this organization and begin parenting classes. If alcohol was involved, you should immediately begin serious drug and alcohol treatment classes and even therapy.
At Albani Law, We Defend All Child Abuse Charges
DEFENDING CHILD ABUSE CHARGES IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR PRACTICE.
WE DEFEND ALL MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY CHILD ABUSE CHARGES.
FACING A CHARGE OF CHILD ABUSE IN COLORADO, CALL US TODAY AT (303) 753-0900. WE CAN HELP.
