State prosecutors frequently include child endangerment as an additional charge to other offenses brought against a criminal defendant. Because of this, a conviction could result in longer incarceration and harsher penalties.
If you have been accused of child endangerment, working with an experienced criminal defense attorney could reduce the risk of excessive fines and prison sentences. Founding Attorney Christopher L. Jones is a skilled Pickens County child endangerment lawyer who could help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights. Contact Chris Jones Law today to schedule your initial consultation.
Child Endangerment As a Motor Vehicle Offense
When making a traffic stop, for example, patrol officers check whether children are present in the car because the State defines child endangerment as a motor vehicle offense. In addition to being charged with a moving offense, a driver with children in the car can be accused of child endangerment upon:
- Failing to pull over or fleeing an attempted stop by an officer, per South Carolina Code §56-5-750
- Testing positive for drug or alcohol impairment, under S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-2930
- Driving with an alcohol blood concentration exceeding the State’s legal limit, under S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-2933
- Causing severe bodily injury or death while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, per S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-2945
These offenses are specific examples of the broader category of unlawful conduct toward a child, which is considered a felony under state law. As your Pickens County attorney could further explain, the State has enacted these laws to help define child endangerment and protect children’s lives, physical health, and safety.
The Penalties for Child Endangerment Are Severe
If a prosecutor has a basis to add child endangerment charges to a DUI or other traffic indictment, they will also seek enhanced penalties, including:
- Extended periods of incarceration with lengthy probationary sentences upon release
- Increased fines
- Mandatory community service
- Vehicle ignition interlock devices
- Suspension or revocation of driving privileges
A felony conviction could also result in the loss of the right to own firearms and limit future financial and employment opportunities. However, prosecutors must prove every aspect of child endangerment beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction. An experienced child endangerment lawyer in Pickens County could fight to challenge the prosecutor’s argument and get your charges reduced or dismissed, if possible.
How Could a Child Endangerment Attorney Help You?
Child endangerment charges generally focus on whether the defendant placed a child at an unreasonable risk of harm. Because these charges are typically added to another offense, a child endangerment attorney in Pickens County could identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s evidence of the original crime to show that no harm was done to the minor children in your care.
For example, your lawyer could argue that you did not flee from an attempted stop or that the State’s procedures to collect evidence of alcohol impairment violated your due process rights. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible after being charged with a criminal offense could make these defenses more effective.
Contact a Pickens County Attorney About Your Child Endangerment Charges
Attorney Christopher L. Jones has fine-tuned his legal skills through years of service as a judicial clerk and prosecutor. As a seasoned Pickens County child endangerment lawyer, he now leverages his experience to protect defendants’ rights.
Contact Chris Jones Law today for robust legal representation against child endangerment charges and the underlying allegations that lead to them. Schedule a free consultation to learn about your rights and options.
