Child Endangerment

[Penal Code Section 273a]

Anyone charged with child endangerment faces a serious threat to one’s reputation and freedom. It is not uncommon that child endangerment charges stem from false allegations that are part of a bitter child custody dispute or a disgruntled neighbor. A California criminal conviction for child endangerment charges can mean serious consequences including a felony conviction (the offense is a “wobbler” meaning a prosecutor has discretion to charge the offense as a misdemeanor or felony), substantial fines, state prison, a protective order preventing access to your home or child and completion of a one year child abuser’s treatment program. While charges of child endangerment are very serious, the charges are just accusations, which is very different from a conviction.

At Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, we have seen child endangerment charged by the District Attorney’s almost every time there is domestic violence alleged and a child was present in the home. Where a child is the alleged victim, prosecutors are under increased pressure to resolve the case quickly and to obtain a conviction. At Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, we don’t accept the proposition that your child was endangered Per Se because there was violence within the home.

Where a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment is charged, the punishment may include the following:

• Maximum one year in county jail
• 48 months of probation
• Maximum fine of $1000
• Successful Completion of a year long child abuse treatment program
• Restraining orders that may keep you from having access to your child or residence

If you are convicted of felony California child endangerment charges, the punishment may include the following:

• Maximum state prison term of two, four or six years
• 48 months of probation
• Successful Completion of a year long child abuse treatment program
• Restraining orders that may keep you from having access to your child or residence
• And other conditions

At Ahmed and Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, we will listen to you and focus on your best defense, as opposed to judging you. If you have been arrested or charged with the California criminal offense of Child Endangerment, we are here to help. We represent individuals charged with Child Endangerment across the Bay Area, including San Jose, San Mateo, Oakland and San Francisco. Call us today to discuss your case and your rights.