Top Costa Mesa, CA Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
Arrested? Or Think You May be Arrested? Call David. Interviewed by NBC & Dr Drew for his Criminal Defense Success.
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SoCal Super Lawyers 16 years in a row, AV rated. Criminal defense attorney offering experience, skill and personal attention.
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6345 Balboa Blvd, Suite 247, Encino, CA 91316
If you need Child Abandonment help in California, contact Law Office of Gregory Rubel, a local practice in Costa Mesa, for legal representation.
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16520 Bake Parkway, Suite 280, Irvine, CA 92618
Representing people in Costa Mesa, California with their Child Abandonment issues.
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260 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Clients who need legal help with Child Abandonment concerns can contact Law Offices of Barry T. Simons, a reputable law firm in Costa Mesa, California.
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1440 N Harbor Blvd, Suite 900, Fullerton, CA 92835
Contact Law Offices of David Borsari for experienced Child Abandonment guidance in Costa Mesa, California.
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One Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92614
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Those seeking legal help with Child Abandonment can reach out to Bulldog Law, a local practice representing people in Costa Mesa, California.
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23679 Calabasas Road, Suite 412, Calabasas, CA 91302
Assisting people in California with their Child Abandonment needs. Learn More.
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2030 Main Street, Suite 1300, Irvine, CA 92614
22982 La Cadena Dr, 239, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
695 Town Center Drive, 17th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
333 City Blvd W, Suite 1742, Orange, CA 92868
633 W 5th St., 28th Floor, Suite 2874, Los Angeles, CA 90071
2112 Walnut Grove Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
120 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
626 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 460, Los Angeles, CA 90017
1801 Century Park East, 24th FL, Los Angeles, CA 90067
1604 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
PO Box 48011, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
27130 Paseo Espada, Ste 521, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
23838 Pacific Coast Hwy, No. 309, Malibu, CA 90263
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90071
811 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1701, Los Angeles, CA 90017
14401 Sylvan Street, Suite 100, Van Nuys, CA 91401
6464 West Sunset Blvd., Suite 1030, Los Angeles, CA 90028
206A East Mission Boulevard, Pomona, CA 91766
7700 Irvine Center Dr, Suite 800, Irvine, CA 92618
Costa Mesa Child Abandonment Information
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Child Abandonment Cases
A child may be deemed abandoned in a variety of ways ranging from leaving an infant on a doorstep to parents being unwilling to provide care, support or supervision of a child. The exact situations that count as child abandonment vary from location to location, so it is best to contact a local attorney know precisely constitutes child abandonment in California.
What Is Child Abandonment?
Child abandonment typically refers to an offense in which one or more parents knowingly and intentionally deserts a child without regard to the welfare of the child or fails to provide the necessary and required care of their child, leading to gross neglect.
In less grave circumstances, child abandonment cases can also be brought against defendants on the basis of more technical matters, such as leaving the child in the care of a non-relative or non-custodial guardian for more than three to six months without making contact or providing financial support to said child.
How to Prove Child Abandonment
In more egregious cases of child abandonment, it is evidently clear to investigating authorities that child abandonment has taken place such as eyewitness accounts, no parent present, no guardian present, the child living in squalor or suffering from obvious malnutrition.
However, in many cases, the nuances surrounding a child abandonment case may actually be a matter of contested facts or circumstances between the prosecution (representing a private plaintiff, whether a spouse, ex-spouse or family member attempting to annul parental rights of the alleged offender) and the defendant.
In these cases, the prosecution typically looks for firmer evidence that meets the requirements for termination of the defendant’s parental rights and any further penalties belonging to the alleged abandonment according to state statutes. For example, illustrating via a lack of messaging and/or money that the defendant likely did not make any effort to contact or support a child legally under their care.
How Many Days Away Is Considered Child Abandonment?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the state in which the plaintiff is pursuing charges. In some states, a definite time frame is not laid out in contested cases where a parent may be making “token” or “incidental” visits to the child they are legally responsible for, fostering no meaningful relationship over a long period of time, etc. However, if the parent(s) cannot be found by authorities after a 60-day search period in more obvious cases of abandonment, that is the legal deadline before charges can be filed.
In other states, if the child has been left without proper documentation (birth certificate) by the legal parent(s), or if the parent(s) have left the child in the care of another person for at least six months with no material support or connection, or if the plaintiff themselves has been caring for the child for one year without any material connection being made from the defendant to the child this can be grounds to form the elements of a child abandonment case.
In general, these rules apply more broadly to most states, with the vast majority of U.S. jurisdictions having enacted similar statutes regarding the practice of child abandonment.
Can You Go to Jail for Child Abandonment in California?
Yes. Child abandonment is a serious offense and those convicted of it are likely to face incarceration as well as monetary fines.
What Is the Penalty for Child Abandonment?
The penalty for child abandonment depends both upon the state statutes relevant to the case (which state the case is being tried in) as well as the severity of the situation surrounding the abandonment, with a focus on the particulars.
In certain states, child abandonment can be classified as either felony or as a misdemeanor. The former can result in a possible six-year prison term, while the latter can see those convicted facing up to a year in jail in addition to a fine of $2,000.
Can a Lawyer Help With Child Abandonment Charges?
If you are facing charges related to child abandonment, your first step toward resolving the matter should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A skilled attorney familiar with child abandonment cases, case law and the precedent established by former state court judgments is an invaluable asset in protecting yourself. A lawyer familiar with these matters can advise you as to how best to proceed with your case.
A conviction related to child abandonment can lead to a lifelong criminal record, and so it is vitally important to secure adequate legal counsel before proceeding.
If you have been charged with the crime of child abandonment, you need legal representation. Each state has its own child abandonment laws categorizing child abandonment as either a felony and other states may categorize it as a misdemeanor. For information regarding the penalties and punishment for violating child abandonment laws, contact an attorney.