Are You Looking for a Child Endangerment Attorney in Illinois?

There is a legal presumption that children because of their young age cannot take care of themselves. Instead, their parents are responsible for their wellbeing. As a result, Illinois legislature enacted strict laws for the protection the rights of children. Accordingly, the State of Illinois aggressively prosecutes all crimes that involve children. Thus, a child endangerment conviction in Illinois can change your life completely. Moreover, the State of Illinois spies on parents. There is a long list of people who must report the signs of child abuse and neglect to authorities. For example, under Abused and Neglected Child Reporting act, Medical or hospital personnel, nurses, physicians, dentists, school and daycare workers, law enforcement officers has a duty to report the signs of child abuse and neglect.

The Crime of Endangering the life or health of a child

In the first place, Chicago Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney warns that child endangerment is a criminal offense in Illinois. First, it happens when a person causes or permits the life or health of a child under the age of 18 to be endangered. Second, it occurs when a person causes or permits a child to be placed in circumstances that endanger the child’s life or health. As you could see, those definitions are very broad. As a result, Chicago Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney saw many times when the state charges parents and legal guardians with child endangerment.

Examples of Endangering the life or health of a child

First, a person commits endangering the life or health of a child when he or she leaves a child 6 years of age or younger in a car for more than 10 minutes. Second, child endangerment occurs when a parent leaves his or her kids in a hot car. Next, there are extreme situations when people drink or use drugs when their kids are present. Sometimes, people drive drunk with their kids in the car. Additionally, people leave their guns, knifes in the places where kids can reach those objects. All those situations could constitute the offense of endangering the life or health of a child. Finally, there are many other situations when the state could charge a parent with child endangerment.

Collateral Consequences of Child Endangerment Charges

In Illinois, the Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS”) protects the rights of the children. Chicago Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney warns that the DCFS will learn about your endangering the life or health of a child case. Immediately, DCFS will start their own investigation. If they believe that there is urgent and immediate necessity to take your kids from you, they will do that. Additionally, there will be a case against you in a juvenile court. Without professional legal help, you are risking to lose your kids forever. Here, you can read more about how the DCFS investigates and the State prosecutes child abuse and neglect cases. Chicago Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney represented hundreds of parents in child abuse and neglect proceedings in juvenile courts. He understands that it is equally important to fight your child abuse and neglect case and your criminal case.

Defenses to the Offense of Endangering the Life or Health of a Child

Regretfully, sometimes, even good and loving parents could face Endangering the life or health of a child charges. For example, very often one parent falsely accuses another parent of endangering the child. Moreover, in some extreme situations, a willful parent could even teach his or her kids to make false accusations to teachers or doctors about other parent’s behavior. As you could see, every situation is unique. Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney knows many defenses, which are available to a person who is charged with the Crime of Endangering the life or health of a child charges. If the police arrested you or your loved one for endangering the life or health of a child, you should call Russian Speaking Child Endangerment Attorney who is experienced in these types of cases. Protect your future and call now for a free and confidential consultation.