This is the first post in a series of articles which will discuss defending against child endangerment charges in Peoria and other Illinois areas. I feel like it is necessary to provide information on this topic due to the fact that, for understandable reasons, a parent often will not know how to proceed. It is important that you take immediate steps to protect your rights. Doing so helps your chances of obtaining a more favorable outcome. The goal of my coming articles is to provide information which will help people to better understand their situation. It is also my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of a criminal defense attorney. If you or a family member are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
I will be addressing multiple topics over my coming posts. Issues which I will discuss include:
- Whether Illinois considers child endangerment a misdemeanor or a felony
- How a conviction can impact a child custody case
- How search and seizure issues can impact such situations
- Taking a case to trial
- Dealing with cases which are based on false accusations
There are multiple reasons why I will be addressing these topics. First, Illinois will typically charge child endangerment cases as a Class “A” misdemeanor. An individual will face felony charges, however, for subsequent offenses as well as instances which cause the death of a child. Furthermore, it is important to understand that other charges may be “stacked” on top of the endangerment charge. Second, in any child custody matter the Court’s sole concern is for the best interests of the child. For obvious reasons, many judges will be inclined to modify custody when a parent has placed the child at risk. Third, if a dangerous situation was only discovered due to an illegal stop of the parent or an unconstitutional search of the home then it may be possible to gain a dismissal. Fourth, knowing what to expect at trial can help to ensure that the matter goes smoothly. Finally, and unfortunately, it is not uncommon for parents to fabricate claims out of an effort to gain an advantage in child custody proceedings.
If you or a family member have been charged with a crime then it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you retain counsel then the more of an opportunity they will have to investigate your case and to ensure that your rights are protected. I am a former prosecutor who is familiar with the workings of our local court system and my office will give your case the attention it deserves. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and we are ready to assist you. Contact us to speak with a Peoria criminal defense lawyer if you have been charged with child endangerment. I also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford.