Top Baytown, TX Child Abandonment Lawyers Near You
Our Goal Is Dismissal Or Reduced Sentences For All Of Our Clients. Call For Help With Any Criminal Related Charges! South Texas’ Dwi & Criminal Defense Lawyer-Scientist.
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Rated Top 100 Attorney in Texas by Super Lawyers 2019 - 2022. Triple Board Certified, DWI Specialist. We Do Not Back Down!
Our experienced & qualified Houston Criminal defense lawyer takes an aggressive approach toward defending clients & is ready to fight for you. ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist
Board Certified in both DWI and Criminal Defense. Hire a proven trial lawyer that will will aggressively & professionally advocate on your behalf. Call us for a free consultation.
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Assisting Harris and Montgomery county clients with their Criminal Law needs.
When It's All on The Line, You Want the Best Criminal Lawyer to Defend You.
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We strive to get you the best possible outcome, and we’ll fight to secure a result that will have minimal-to-nonexistent impact on your life.
108 E Magnolia St, Angleton, TX 77515
Jeff Gilbert Law Office, serving clients in the Baytown, Texas area, a reputable legal practice for Child Abandonment issues.
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1100 Gulf Fwy South, Suite 100, League City, TX 77573
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Scott M. Brown & Associates, serving clients in the Baytown, Texas area, a reputable legal practice for Child Abandonment issues.
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2814 Hamilton St, Houston, TX 77004
Contact The Downey Law Firm in Baytown, Texas for experienced legal assistance in Child Abandonment.
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7151 Office City Drive, Houston, TX 77087
The Kirby Mansion, 2000 Smith Street, Houston, TX 77002
600 Travis St, Suite 2350, Houston, TX 77002
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 3200, Houston, TX 77027
1330 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77056-3166
2616 S Loop W, Suite 218, Houston, TX 77054
909 Fannin St., Ste. 3300, Houston, TX 77010
717 Texas Ave, Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77002
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2850, Houston, TX 77027
8441 Gulf Fwy, Ste 210, Houston, TX 77017
819 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
18333 Egret Bay Blvd, Ste. 333, Houston, TX 77058
2180 North Loop West, Suite 310, Houston, TX 77018
6200 Chase Tower, 600 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002
811 Main Street, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77002
1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 4000, Houston, TX 77002
1111 North Loop W, Ste 1118, Houston, TX 77008
1415 N Loop W Fwy, Suite 905, Houston, TX 77008
917 Franklin Street, Fourth Floor, Houston, TX 77002
2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 735, Houston, TX 77098
811 Main Street, Suite 2900, Houston, TX 77002
2000 Bering Dr, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77057
Baytown 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 Texas.
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 Texas?
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.