This is the next post in my series on the handling of cases in which a child is put at risk in our state. My last article discussed the possibility of jail for a DUI child endangerment case. It is important to understand that such cases are often charged as felonies. This means that one faces a prison sentence if convicted. Retaining an attorney as soon as possible is critical if you or a loved one have been arrested. In this article I will discuss situations in which one is likely to face enhanced penalties. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
Illinois child endangerment charges will constitute a felony if the incident resulted in the death of a child
First-offense child endangerment charges are typically charged as a misdemeanor in Illinois. The matter will be charged as a felony, however, if the incident resulted in the death of a child. In such situations the defendant will face a Class 3 felony charge which can result in two to ten years in prison. Also, if an individual has a prior conviction for child endangerment then any subsequent charges will also be charged as a Class 3 felony. In a matter which involves the death of a child, or repeat offenses, one can typically expect the judge to impose a term of incarceration as opposed to possibly granting probation.
There are several situations in which the endangerment of a child can lead to death and subsequent felony charges. These can include leaving a young child unattended, reckless driving, recklessly handling firearms around a child, leaving guns out in the presence of a child, etc. Defendants understand that, generally speaking, the term “child endangerment” can be interpreted rather broadly. Conduct that may not seem like a “big deal” to some people can often be viewed as reckless by society. If you are facing enhanced charges then it is crucial to recognize that the court will take the matter quite seriously.
Contact a Peoria criminal defense lawyer for enhanced child endangerment charges
If you have been charged with child endangerment then it is important that you retain an attorney as soon as possible. Mounting a vigorous defense is crucial to any efforts one is making to deal with the situation. I am a former prosecutor who devotes his practice to defending the rights of the accused. My firm prides itself on providing a high level of representation and we will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. In addition to Peoria, we also serve clients in Bloomington, Decatur, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington and the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Additional areas where we handle federal cases include Benton, Chicago, East St. Louis, Springfield, and Urbana.