Top Washington Navy Yard, DC Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20037
Contact Rowe Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC in Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia for experienced legal assistance in Child Abandonment.
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1717 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006
1666 K St NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006
1700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036
101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
2001 K St NW, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20006
400 5th St NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20001
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505 9th St NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004
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1801 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20006
1050 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036
1825 Eye Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
600 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037-1931
2050 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
1500 K St NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20005
20 F Street NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20001
2550 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
799 9th St NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20001
1050 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Suite 65041, Washington, DC 20035
717 D Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004
2020 K St NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006
901 New York Ave NW, Suite 700 East, Washington, DC 20001
Washington Navy Yard Child Abandonment Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Abandonment attorneys in Washington Navy Yard and checks their standing with District of Columbia bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
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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 District of Columbia.
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 District of Columbia?
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.