Child Endangerment Defense Lawyer in Lexington, KY
Have You Been Accused of Endangering a Child? Call (859) 712-7365!
If you are accused of endangering a child, you need a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in defending those charged with this offense. At Oakley & Oakley, our firm has handled thousands of cases and has a proven track record of success. Our team of trial-tested lawyers will fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed, and we will fight to protect your rights and freedoms.
What Is Child Endangerment?
Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 218A.290, a person is guilty of endangering a child if they knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly do any of the following:
- Place a child in a situation that endangers the child's life or health.
- Cause a child to be in a situation that endangers the child's life or health.
- Engage in conduct that is illegal and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the child.
- Cause a child to engage in conduct that is illegal and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the child.
Child endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, if a child is physically injured as a result of the defendant's actions, the offense will be charged as a Class D felony, which carries a minimum jail sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years.
Penalties for Child Endangerment in Kentucky
If you are convicted of child endangerment, you could face very serious penalties, including:
- Fines
- Community service
- Probation
- Restitution
- Jail time
Additionally, a conviction for child endangerment will result in a permanent criminal record that could negatively impact your ability to obtain employment, housing, loans, and more. If you are facing charges for endangering a child, you need a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Child Endangerment in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, there is no statute of limitations for child endangerment. This means that you could be charged with a crime even if the alleged incident happened decades ago. However, there are some limitations on when you can be charged with child endangerment.
When Can You Be Charged for Child Endangerment?
In Kentucky, you can be charged with child endangerment if you knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly engage in any of the following actions:
- Place a child in a situation that endangers the child's life or health.
- Cause a child to be in a situation that endangers the child's life or health.
- Engage in conduct that is illegal and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the child.
- Cause a child to engage in conduct that is illegal and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the child.
Child endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, if a child is physically injured as a result of the defendant's actions, the offense will be charged as a Class D felony, which carries a minimum jail sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years.
Have a Question?
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What is Probable Cause?
Probable cause is a legal term that is often misunderstood. Law enforcement must have probable cause to believe you committed a crime before they search or arrest someone.
Probable cause is a particular and reasonable belief that an individual is:
- committing a crime,
- has committed a crime or
- is about to commit a crime.
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How Your Criminal History Could Affect Your Current Case
Your prior brushes with the law can have an enormous influence on your life. Once you pay your fines or serve jail time, you will likely have to face the additional collateral consequences of your conviction. Having a criminal conviction can prevent you from getting desirable jobs and living where you would like. What’s worse, your criminal history can influence a prosecutor’s decisions about new charges and can result in harsher punishments for subsequent convictions. If you have legal questions about a current criminal case, seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
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Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer if I Shoot Someone Who Breaks Into My House?
If someone breaks into your home, the use of deadly force could be justifiable under Kentucky’s self-defense laws and the Castle Doctrine. However, there are exceptions in which the use of deadly force could result in an arrest for assault, homicide, or manslaughter.
It is wise to understand your legal rights to avoid a weapons charge or murder charge, especially if you own a gun to protect yourself and your family from intruders.
How Does Child Endangerment Differ from Reckless Endangerment?
In Kentucky, you can be charged with reckless endangerment if you engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to a child. However, reckless endangerment does not require that a child actually be placed in a dangerous situation or that a child actually be injured.
How Does Child Endangerment Differ from Abuse or Neglect?
Abuse or neglect is a more general term that refers to physical, sexual, or emotional harm to a child. Child endangerment refers to placing a child in a dangerous situation or causing a child to engage in dangerous behavior.
If you are facing charges for endangering a child, you need a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
Contact Our Child Endangerment Defense Attorney in Lexington Today
If you are facing charges for endangering a child, you need a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At Oakley & Oakley, our lawyers have handled thousands of cases and have a proven track record of success. We will work tirelessly to defend you against these charges and will fight to protect your rights and freedoms.
Request your free initial consultation today by calling (859) 712-7365 or filling