Torrance Child Endangerment Lawyer

Handling Cases Throughout the South Bay & Los Angeles 

Child endangerment, more commonly known as child abuse, is criminalized by California Penal Code section 273(a). These cases are prosecuted vigorously by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and, although they can be filed as misdemeanors, prosecutors often file these cases as felonies. A felony child endangerment conviction can land you in the California State Prison for up to six years. Other penalties include lengthy felony (formal) probation, a fine of up to $10,000 and a possible strike on your criminal record. Given these possible consequences, you will want the best legal defense available.

With over 60 combined years of criminal defense experience and powerful credentials, the attorneys at Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, can provide you with vigorous, aggressive, knowledgeable and zealous criminal defense that is virtually unmatched. Our firm has also received positive client testimonials.

You can be convicted of child endangerment if you willfully inflicted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child or allowed another person to do so, allowed the child (or his or her health) to suffer injury or allowed or caused the child to be in a situation where his or her health or body may have been in danger. However, criminal negligence can also result in prosecution for this crime.

Parenting can be a difficult task that requires patience and fortitude. Often, a parent’s behavior can be construed as abusive when in fact it was not. Based on the facts of your case, we may be able to show the prosecutor or a jury that you did not willfully act to inflict harm on the child. We may also be able to convince the prosecutor or a jury that you acted reasonably in disciplining your children, which is a recognized legal right in California.