Child Abuse Penalties and Sentencing

Child abuse is regarded as an especially heinous crime because of the obvious vulnerability and innocence of the victims. This social attitude is reflected in the severity of punishments for many types of serious offenses that involve children. On the other hand, laws also tend to allow for lesser penalties for offenses that amount to extreme examples of bad or negligent parenting. Typically, these minor offenses are categorized as neglect and are often not punished as harshly as the intentional physical abuse of a child.

The wide range of child abuse penalties and sentencing depend on several factors, such as:

• The state where the abuse took place;
• The age of the child;
• Whether the offense involved sexual abuse;
• The extent that the child was physically or mentally injured; and
• The criminal history of the offender.

Child abuse and neglect cases are difficult for everyone involved, which is one reason why some cases unfortunately go unreported. Acts of child abuse are horrific enough, but the resulting trauma and pain can reverberate throughout the judicial process, especially for victims of abuse, and even be further compounded by the resulting penalties and sentencing. When the abuse occurs within a family, as most child abuse does, the adjudication of the offense is also likely to cause major disruptions to social relationships. Combined with the possibility that these cases carry a social stigma and might be highly publicized, many family members will avoid reporting and try to deal with the problem on their own. This attitude encourages the ongoing risk to the children involved in these dangerous situations.

Child Abuse Penalties and Sentences

In most states, child abuse may be charged as either a felony or a less serious misdemeanor offense, depending on the circumstances. The most severe child abuse cases can carry harsh sentences, including felony lifetime sentences, while the least serious misdemeanor cases might potentially result in no prison time. Punishment will typically be more severe if the offender has a prior criminal record, especially if it includes previous child abuse activity and possibly reduced if the defendant has no prior record.

Sentencing in child abuse cases can be by agreement, after a plea bargain agreement is reached with the prosecution, or it can be imposed by the court after an open plea or after conviction at a trial. In most cases, sentencing can include a combination of probation and a prison term of several years. Sentencing in more serious cases may include an even longer prison term.

Other possible penalties and consequences could include:

• Lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender (if the offense qualifies),
• A permanent criminal record,
• Termination of parental rights, or
• Supervised or restricted access to one's children,
• Mandatory counseling or mental health treatment,
• Continual involvement with a child protective services agency, and
• A ruined reputation

Child Abuse Penalties: Failure to Report

People who fail to report child abuse or neglect can also face penalties and consequences in states with mandatory reporting laws. These laws typically apply only to certain individuals who are in a position to discover child abuse. This typically includes teachers, medical professionals or law enforcement, among others. Some states have written their mandatory reporting laws even more broadly, and some make it the duty of all persons in the state to report known child abuse.

In states with mandatory reporting laws, those subject to the reporting requirements must report cases of suspected child abuse through a hotline or law enforcement agency. Failure to do so in a timely manner is considered a misdemeanor in most states and can result in fines, jail time, or both.

Questions about Child Abuse Penalties and Sentencing? See an Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing accusations of child abuse or neglect, you will need the help of an attorney. Just as the charges of child abuse encompass a wide spectrum of acts, there is also a wide spectrum of possible outcomes in child abuse cases. The ultimate result will depend not just on the specific facts of your case, but also the skill of your lawyer. For this reason, it is important to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney near you to help grapple with allegations of child abuse.