Miami Child Abuse Lawyer

Defending Against Charges of Child Abuse in Miami

The Federal Child Abuse Protection and Treatment Act was enacted to protect children in the U.S. from abusive situations. Any type of domestic violence is a serious crime and anyone accused of child abuse needs an experienced criminal attorney. The prosecution, judges and society abhor child abuse. A simple child abuse accusation can damage the reputation of the alleged offender, and it can affect employment, relationships, child custody following a divorce, and other areas of life. If you were arrested and charged with child abuse, you should seek immediate legal advice and guidance from a Miami domestic violence attorney. The charges are serious and a conviction can mean time behind bars and other consequences. The Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A. is knowledgeable in the area of criminal law and helps clients defend against criminal allegations. The attorney you chose to defend you can make a difference in the outcome of your child abuse case.

About Child Abuse

It is against the law to abuse a child physically, verbally or visually. Some signs of the presence of child abuse can include unexplained bruises, cuts, burns or pain. A child may demonstrate a dramatic change in behavior; a firm desire to not return to a school, day care, camp, or other activity; emotional withdrawal from loved ones; or sexual behavior that is advanced beyond the child's age. Some circumstances require a doctor's examination to determine whether the child was the victim of abuse. The failure to provide a child with proper care, nutrition and other necessities, leaving a child unattended, or cruel treatment can lead to child neglect and endangerment. Common types of child abuse are as follows:

• Molestation
• Prostitution
• Incest
• Statutory rape
• Sexual exploitation

Penalties for Child Abuse

The prosecution will do everything possible to put a child abuser away with a maximum allowable sentence. The penalties for a convicted child abuse crime can mean up to 25 years in prison, large fines, lifetime parole, court mandated counseling and treatment programs, and community service. The punishments can increase if the abuse resulted in injuries or death to the child. Other factors that can increase the scope of the crime can include the use of weapons, use of illegal drugs and the age of the child victim.

A convicted child abuser must register as a sex offender and check in periodically with local law enforcement. The offender's personal information such as name and address become available to the public. There are restrictions placed on how close in proximity one can be to a school, park, religious institution, or other locations where children are present. The offender cannot work in a job that involves working with children. The whereabouts of the child abuser must be made known to law enforcement and that includes notification of change of address. An accused offender faces the potential loss of certain freedoms and privacy.

Certainly, if you are facing serious charges for child abuse or you were falsely accused of the crime, you should retain counsel right away and have an attorney by your side throughout the legal process. We are ready to help you and defend your case.

Former prosecutor currently defends domestic violence and child abuse cases. Call the Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A. today!