Abandoning or Endangering a Child in Texas
Austin Abandoning or Endangering a Child Lawyer Jason Trumpler
CONTACT US TODAY AT 512-457-5200
Child abuse, or variations of it, are severe crimes in the State of Texas. Generally, prosecutors in Texas charge child abuse crimes in a couple of different ways. Commonly, clients are indicted or charged by in County Court with injury to a child, assault with bodily injury family violence, and abandoning or endangering a child. This blog focuses primarily on the offense of abandoning or endangering.
The Texas Penal Code states that the offense of abandoning or endangering a child occurs if a person having custody, care, or control of a child younger than 15 years intentionally abandons the child in any place under circumstances that expose the child to an unreasonable risk of harm. A person also commits an offense (endangering) if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, by act or omission, engages in conduct that places a child younger than 15 years in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.
If the State charges you or someone you know with abandoning or endangering a child, competent, aggressive legal representation can improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Austin Attorney Jason Trumpler has been practicing criminal law for 20-years and has helped successfully defend hundreds of individuals by either getting their charges reduced or ultimately dismissed. Contact our office today at 512-457-5200.
Potential Consequences
The Texas Penal Code has several ranges of possible punishments depending on the circumstances of the alleged crime:
- State Jail Felony: You abandon the child with the intent to return for him or her, such as shopping at the grocery store.
- 3rd Degree Felony: You abandon the child with no intent to return for him or her.
- 2nd Degree Felony: You abandon the child in circumstances that the reasonable person might deduce could pose imminent harm, danger, or death.
Endangering a child is generally punishable as a State Jail Felony.
There are several exceptions to this statute, such as children enrolled in inherently dangerous extracurricular activities such as sports.
Contact Us at 512-457-5200
An aggressive attorney can help negotiate the best plea deal for you, often resulting in reduced or dismissed charges. Attorney Jason Trumpler currently practices in the following counties: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bell, Lee, Coryell, Burnet, Bastrop, and Comal. Contact our office today at 512-457-5200.