Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Strategy Session

While a phone consultation will give you the opportunity to discuss your case with The Law Offices of Howard W. Bailey, we would like to offer you an opportunity to present at no charge or obligation a more detailed written description relaying the facts of your case on our Strategy Session Form page.

Endangering the Welfare of Child (EWC) Defense Attorney

Any person who has a duty of care for a child, as a parent, as a family member, or even as a baby-sitter has the responsibility to prevent the child from being harmed. There are different types of conduct that you as a care-giver for the child cannot engage in, including acts that make the child ‘an abused or neglected child’. The grade of crime will depend on the conduct you have done, the age of the child, and the type of relationship you have to the child. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for this type of crime, STOP TALKING TO THE POLICE! Say I WANT A LAWYER and wait until your lawyer arrives.

If you are arrested or under investigation for Endangering a Child, consult immediately with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Call Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 for a free consultation.

Defending a Charge of Endangering a Child’s Welfare

In cases where the act you are alleged to have done is sexual in nature, there may be additional charges pertaining to the sex acts that need to be considered in developing a defense. In cases where the child is ‘neglected’ and is an ‘abused’ child as a result of the neglect, there are different considerations that impact the defense strategy your defense lawyer will recommend.

In a recent case, Howard Bailey represented a client charged with sexual crimes against his daughter. During the defense investigation, eye-witnesses gave statements that established that the act could not have occurred, as the client was asleep on the living room couch during the entire time period he was supposed to be supervising the child. As part of a negotiated disposition, the client entered a plea to EWC since the child was unsupervised while he was asleep, with all of the other charges dismissed.

Developing a Defense to a EWC Charge

The most important part of a defense to Endangering, is for the client to stop making statements that can hurt them. This type of crime results in an emotional response by family and friends, especially if these people also know the child. Often, these people want to talk to the client about ‘what happened’. The client and these well-meaning people all need to understand that the client has a RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, and that anything he says to them can be used to prosecute the client. A successful defense strategy starts with you not becoming a witness against yourself, and may include legal issues and the use of experts. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for Endangering a Child, consult immediately with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to understand what your options are. Call Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 for a free consultation.