New Jersey Endangering The Welfare of Children Attorneys

Fighting to Ensure Your Rights Are Protected and Secure a Favorable Resolution

The Endangering the Welfare of a Child law in the Criminal Code in New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4, is more serious than its Title 9 counterpart, which criminalizes child neglect. A subsection of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4 also prohibits engaging in sexual conduct that would impair or debauch the morals of the child or who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child. As used in the Criminal Code, a child is defined as any person under 18 years of age. Regardless of the circumstances, this crime is treated severely under state law — and it could be stacked with child abuse and similar charges. Hiring a New Jersey endangering the welfare of children lawyer is critical.

At The Bianchi Law Group, we know that any child endangerment charges can fully disrupt your life. Conviction for such an act could result in a 20-year prison sentence under certain circumstances. However, even a fourth-degree endangering charge — the least of potential charges for this crime — can lead to a prison sentence of up to 18 months. Put simply, you don’t want to be convicted of endangering the welfare of a child. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid such an outcome. Our law firm is on standby and ready to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Are the Specifics of an Endangering the Welfare of a Child Charge?

Under New Jersey law, any act that could potentially jeopardize a child’s physical, mental, or moral well-being could lead to child endangerment and criminal charges. Allowing or encouraging delinquency is considered a fourth-degree crime. Neglect or abuse could result in second or third-degree charges. Sexual conduct with a child, along with producing, possessing, or distributing child pornography, can lead to a first-degree charge. However, acts that are considered child endangerment can also be charged to different degrees based on other circumstances.

In such cases, the degree of the crime depends on the relationship between the defendant and the child. The crime will be second-degree if the defendant has a legal duty to care for the child or if they assumed responsibility for the care of the child. The crime is a third-degree if no such relationship exists. N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b) criminalizes sexually related offenses and does not require the legal duty or responsibility that N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a) does. N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)  also prohibits the sale and possession of child pornography in New Jersey.

If you’re convicted of these charges, you face substantial risk. Regardless of your guilt or innocence, you will be viewed by others as a danger to children. Even worse, incarceration typically won’t be spent at the local police department or jail. Since these crimes are indictable offenses, those convicted will usually end up in prison. This is only a portion of the devastating consequences, so it’s imperative to have an experienced legal advocate on your side. Contact our New Jersey Endangering the Welfare of a Child lawyers today. We’re here to help.

Why Hire Former Prosecutors?

The Bianchi Law Group is made up of a team of former trial prosecutors who have handled the investigations and prosecutions of most crimes in New Jersey and will defend you for all federal and state crimes in New Jersey, including Endangering the Welfare of Children. From unnecessarily severe corporal punishment to sexual abuse, our dedicated team of legal professionals has represented clients for all the child endangerment charges you could imagine. However, it’s our experience as former prosecutors that makes us so effective at what we do.

Child endangering is a serious crime, and our goal as prosecutors was to ensure individuals were held accountable. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen how the criminal justice system can get things wrong — especially when police and prosecutors want a conviction at anyr cost. Our New Jersey Endangering the Welfare of a Child lawyers have served on both sides of the aisle, so we know the strategies and tactics used by the government. This knowledge gives us a distinct advantage over other criminal defense law firms in New Jersey.

Our dedicated team of professionals takes our legal responsibility to our clients seriously. If you want a committed advocate who will work diligently on your behalf, contact us today for your free initial consultation.

Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys by the New Jersey Supreme Court

Partners Robert A. Bianchi and David J. Bruno are also both certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Criminal Trial Attorneys. The New Jersey Supreme Court has a certification committee that classifies certain New Jersey Lawyers as Certified Trial Attorneys. The process requires the prospective attorneys to satisfy strict criteria, including extensive jury trials, a primary focus on criminal law, an application submission, a peer review process, a character and background check, and pass a written examination.

Only 250 of over 98,000 lawyers (less than 1%) are designated as certified criminal trial attorneys by the New Jersey Supreme Court. This should be a crucial factor in finding a New Jersey criminal defense attorney to represent you. Many New Jersey Lawyers describe themselves as trial attorneys but most do not have the New Jersey Court’s distinction as Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. This might not sound like a big deal, but it can make a significant difference for anyone charged with an unlawful act under New Jersey law. This classification tells you that we know our way around a courtroom.

In reality, most criminal cases are resolved by plea negotiations. However, the potential penalties under the endangering the welfare of a child statute could quite literally destroy a person’s life. This underscores how important it is to avoid a conviction whenever possible. If our law firm can get the charges against you dismissed or secure another fair outcome without trial, we’ll do that. However, we’re ready to fight it out in a courtroom whenever it’s in your best interest.

What Happens When Lewdness and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Overlap?

In New Jersey, Lewdness is codified in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-4. The Penalties for Lewdness in New Jersey depend on the circumstances of the alleged crime. Lewdness may be a fourth-degree offense or a disorderly persons offense, depending on the circumstances. Crimes in the fourth-degree range can be punishable up to 18 months in New Jersey State prison. Disorderly persons offenses can be punishable up to 6 months in the County jail, usually in the County where the crime was committed. The Sentencing Judge may also order fines and restitution as prescribed by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-3 for all convictions for Lewdness in New Jersey.

However, things can get much more serious if a child is present during any alleged lewdness. This will be viewed as sexual misconduct, and although lewdness is typically charged as a disorderly persons offense, those facing child endangerment charges in relation to alleged acts will be charged with an indictable offense. Once again, the degree of the offense will dictate potential penalties. A second-degree offense could result in five to ten years in prison — but a first-degree endangering charge could double that potential sentence. Endangering the welfare of a child quickly turns an already serious criminal offense into something more.

If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, you may even face mandatory registration on the sex offenders list. This is why it’s so important for you to reach out to our law office. Our New Jersey endangering the welfare of children lawyers are ready to help.

Trial Ready New Jersey Criminal Lawyers

Like in all our cases handled at the Bianchi Law Group, our team of experienced former prosecutors are there to make sure the Government can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If our attorneys cannot resolve the case with a dismissal or a fair and just plea bargain, they will not hesitate to select a jury and take the case to trial. That is what we do and what distinguishes us from other attorneys. We are former prosecutors, trial-tested, and certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as certified criminal trial attorneys.

At The Bianchi Law Group, we will not hesitate to go to trial when doing so is in your best interest. Individuals convicted of this crime can face decades in prison, sex offender registration, a life-long criminal record with collateral consequences, and a variety of other detrimental outcomes. Fortunately, this is not a reality you simply have to accept. A New Jersey child endangerment attorney can review your case and help you decide the best path forward. Not every case will result in charges being dropped, but we’ll fight aggressively to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Contact us at (862) 292-4442 to schedule your free consultation today.