Child Endangerment | Falsely Accused & Want To Fight Back?

NJ Child Endangerment

New Jersey child endangerment charges are serious felonies. These crimes carry lengthy prison sentences & will leave you with a criminal record. You also run the risk of losing your children. 

It is very possible that you may be falsely accused. Oftentimes, these accusations arise in divorce actions or during custody battles. Your ex-spouse may leverage their cause by filing a false report. By law, the complaint must be investigated and it could take months and years to clear your name.

This article will help you learn about your rights & options.

What is the definition of an unfit parent in New Jersey?

If the conditions in your home are such that your child is at risk of mental, physical, or emotional danger you may be declared an unfit parent.

The following are some of the home conditions that will be considered:

  • A parent’s chemical dependency/substance abuse
  • Criminality in the household
  • A parent’s mental illness/Mental
  • Poor judgement (driving under the influence w/your child in the car)

What are some examples of child endangerment?

The most common examples of reckless endangerment of a child include:

  • Driving under the influence (alcohol/drugs) with your child in the car;
  • Leaving your child in your car during a freezing winter day while you go shopping;
  • Being involved in illegal activity (prostitution) while your child is in the room.
  • Actions or situations that endanger your child (drug dealing)

Child endangerment laws are often very broadly applied, and any number of acts can lead to an arrest.

Child Endangerment convictions stay on your record for years

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of a Child Endangerment, you face prison, fines, and you will get a criminal record.

Can I get it expunged?

It depends.

Your ability to get this type of conviction expunged depends on the type of felony on your record.

For example, if the conviction is for acts that involved sexual conduct with a minor, your chances of an expungement are slim.

If you were charged with child endangerment in NJ and ended up pleading guilty to an amended charge, your chances are better of getting an expungement.

If you are under investigation for child endangerment in NJ, it is extremely important to remain silent.
If you’ve been arrested, you must also remain silent.
DO NOT answer police questions.
Everything you say can & will be used against you.
Ask for a lawyer & keep quiet!

Why did I get charged with domestic violence & child endangerment?

Sometimes if the state believes there was violence among family members in the home and a child was just present, you may be charged with both domestic violence & child endangerment.

It doesn’t matter that you did not physically touch your child to be charged with child endangerment.

If your child witnessed or heard violent acts or words, you will get a second charge for domestic violence.

Will DYFS become involve if I am charged with child endangerment?

DYFS, now called the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, or DCPP, may become involved with your family.

If they do, you should consult with us.

It is important to retain counsel to advise you and protect your rights if DFYS shows up knocking on your door.

Please visit our NJ DYFS page for more information.

We’ve also included a 16-page DYFS handbook to help you understand why they got involved.

Can I lose my children if convicted of child endangerment?

It is a strong possibility.

Before the State can take your child away and place him/her in a foster home, they have to prove that you are an unfit parent. (See above)

If you have a lengthy criminal record & your behavior was extreme enough to warrant it, the State will attempt to remove your parental rights.

What if what I was accused of was not done on purpose?

You may have a defense.

The law gives you a defense to child endangerment charges if your actions were not done on purpose.

This is called an Unwillful act.

Contact us if you have been charged with child endangerment so we can hear your side of the story.

Each case is different and the facts of your case may provide a defense to the charge.

All of our consultations are FREE & confidential.

I got a DWI with my kid in the car. Is this child endangerment?

In New Jersey, a DWI is a traffic ticket.

However, driving while intoxicated (alcohol/drugs) with your child is a separate criminal offense.

In the majority of cases, you will be charged with child endangerment.

In addition, there is a separate misdemeanor charge for driving while intoxicated with a child in your vehicle.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.15(b), you could face up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail. 

What are the laws of Endangerment to a Child in NJ?

NJSA 2C:24-4

(1) Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person who engages in conduct or who causes harm as described in this paragraph to a child is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

 

(2)Any person having a legal duty for the care of a child or who has assumed responsibility for the care of a child who causes the child harm that would make the child an abused or neglected child as defined in R.S.9:6-1, R.S.9:6-3 and P.L.1974, c.119, s.1 (C.9:6-8.21) is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any other person who engages in conduct or who causes harm as described in this paragraph to a child is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

NJSA 2C:24-4 (b)
Definitions

(1) As used in this subsection:

“Child” means any person under 18 years of age.

“Distribute” means to sell, or to manufacture, give, provide, lend, trade, mail, deliver, publish, circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit, display, share, advertise, offer, or make available via the Internet or by any other means, whether for pecuniary gain or not. The term also includes an agreement or attempt to distribute.

“File-sharing program” means a computer program, application, software or operating system that allows the user of a computer on which such program, application, software or operating system is installed to designate files as available for searching by and copying to one or more other computers, to transmit such designated files directly to one or more other computers, and to request the transmission of such designated files directly from one or more other computers. The term “file-sharing program” includes but is not limited to a computer program, application or software that enables a computer user to participate in a peer-to-peer network.

“Internet” means the international computer network of both federal and non-federal interoperable packet switched data networks.

“Item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child” means a photograph, film, video, an electronic, electromagnetic or digital recording, an image stored or maintained in a computer program or file or in a portion of a file, or any other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act.

“Peer-to-peer network” means a connection of computer systems through which files are shared directly between the systems on a network without the need of a central server.

What are prohibited sexual acts?

“Prohibited sexual act” means:

  • Sexual intercourse; or
  • Anal intercourse; or
  • Masturbation; or
  • Bestiality; or
  • Sadism; or
  • Masochism; or
  • Fellatio; or
  • Cunnilingus; or

Nudity, if depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification of any person who may view such depiction; or

Any act of sexual penetration or sexual contact as defined in N.J.S.2C:14-1.

“Reproduction” means, but is not limited to, computer-generated images.

First-Degree Child Endangerment

A person commits a crime of the first-degree if he causes or permits a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act if the person knows, has reason to know or intends that the prohibited act may be photographed, filmed, reproduced, or reconstructed in any manner, including on the Internet, or may be part of an exhibition or performance.

Second-Degree Child Endangerment

A person commits a crime of the second-degree if he photographs or films a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act or who uses any device, including a computer, to reproduce or reconstruct the image of a child in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act.

A person commits a crime of the second-degree if, by any means, including but not limited to the Internet, he:

(i) knowingly distributes an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child;

(ii) knowingly possesses an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child with the intent to distribute that item; or

(iii) knowingly stores or maintains an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child using a file-sharing program which is designated as available for searching by or copying to one or more other computers.

Third-Degree Child Endangerment

A person commits a crime of the third-degree if he knowingly possesses, knowingly views, or knowingly has under his control, through any means, including the Internet, an item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child.

Meet with us to discuss your case, we offer FREE consultations.

How We Can Help

Regardless of the criminal charges you are facing, we are here to defend & protect you. Whether you are facing a restraining order, drug charge, theft charge, or aggravated assault charge, we are here to help you. Even a DWI case can really complicate your life.

If we can’t get your charges dismissed, we can either get them downgraded or place you in a diversionary program. The point is, our criminal defense lawyers will fight tirelessly to get you the best result possible. Take advantage of our free consultation to see how we can help.

Our Experience

You or a loved one have been arrested. Understandably, you are terrified & have a lot of questions. You’ve heard about plea bargains & probation, but the process is overwhelming. You want a local attorney near you to represent you.

Mr. Peyrouton is from Ridgewood & handles all types of criminal matters in New Jersey The New Jersey Law Journal recently published one of his articles on the subject of criminal law.

Our Practice Areas

Below you will find some but not all of our practice areas. Of course, if you do not see your criminal charges listed, feel free to contact us for a free consultation. We will meet with you to discuss your case & to answer all of your legal concerns. Se habla español tambien!

Areas We Serve

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How Do Your Free Consultations Work?

There are plenty of excellent criminal lawyers in the Hackensack area. Most, if not all of them, offer free, 20-minute, consultations. However, our free consultations do not have a time limit. You will never feel rushed.

The best way for us to help you is to patiently listen to your side of the story. Your version of events will serve as the basis for your legal defense. It is during these initial meetings that your memory of the event is fresh in your mind. Why we would rush you during such an important aspect of your case.

We understand that your choice of attorney could mean the difference between your freedom and spending years behind bars. 

When you hire an attorney, you are entering a long-term relationship. For this reason, it is important that you feel comfortable with the team of Hackensack criminal lawyers that will represent you.

What our clients say about us

Peyrouton Law
4.9
Based on 201 reviews
Ronald Yee
Ronald Yee
1694793630
Peyrouton Law, LLC. has lifted the writer from a most serious legal issue that could have lead to incarceration as well as a very hefty fine. This attorney took immediate charge and was able to reduce the fine to one-half of the posted amount. Further at the time of first contact, Attorney Alan Peyrouton informed that within three years passing, Expungement would be -in fact- forthcoming.That time has come with Full Grant Of Expungement for which this writer will forever be grateful: a promise made and kept!!This attorney stood by this client and always available for consultation, never adding to the retainer fee paid, which also included the New Jersey State processing charge for expunging.The "Night-Mare" is over and the legal issue is erasedas if nothing happened almost three years ago.One can not go wrong by selecting this Exceptional Law Firm.Exceptional Value, Personal Service, Expertise, Professionalism, Etc. - All: Outstanding!!Respectfully submitted,Ronald Yee- Continuing Client.
Romario Guthrie
Romario Guthrie
1694044337
Depressed, confused, tired, giving up was all I was doing due to my charges I got and had to face until my attorney Alan showed up… my charges was definitely gonna put me away behind close doors and more than likely deported …it took 2+ years of investigations before we’ve heard anything at all .. lawyer Peyrouton called,left messages ,emailed throughout this time until he found a status for my case … by then it was so tense where it’d be federal where it was already pending at the Supreme Court but Alan worked his wonders and got it to the municipal court (don’t ask me how ) lol … (2 charges) he always shows up for court ,keeps me updated on everything as long as he heard any news …at the end of this hectic time of my life ,Alan could of made it possible for 1 of 2 to be dismissed and the other was lowered to a little over nothing charge ….being grateful is an understatement for me cause I surely thought this was the end but with an awesome lawyer that will work in silence but diligently , u can never go wrong ! Thank you again Alan 🫶🏽
zine benyahia hadria
zine benyahia hadria
1694035843
Thanks for your help Mr Allen
Eugene Kong
Eugene Kong
1693412197
Thank you so much, Alan! Alan saved me from getting a felony on my record and I only ended up having to pay court fees. I will be eternally grateful to you, Sir! I recommend this man to anybody who makes a mistake or gets in trouble.
AntRipollJr
AntRipollJr
1693344102
Allen took a case for me that could have had an enormous detrimental effect on my life . I was extremely nervous, but he assured me that with his extensive experience and knowledge, that I had nothing to worry about. He also was very clear to explain the potential and harmful consequences of this infraction. He got my case dismissed. Thank you, Allen!
Jessica Richardson
Jessica Richardson
1693238749
Attorney Alan G. Peyrouton has been a blessing to me. He was able to get my criminal charge dismissed on a first appearance with a low fine. Trust me, it wasn’t easy and he was quick to take on my case. Although my case was a misdemeanor, it still weighed heavy on my career, my reputation and being a divorced / single parent. Thank you Alan for your quick response and handling my case in a quickly matter. Your representation of my truthful character was solid and I will always appreciate you for that!
Orelda Williams
Orelda Williams
1693008599
Alan Peyrouton is a great lawyer. Answer calls and text messages promptly. Cares about his clients and he is a very kind person over all . My experience were awesome I will recommend others to him 😊
Vijay C
Vijay C
1692904964
He is very knowledgeable and polite ,impromptu whenever I called ,texted or meet him for all my doubts . Professional and trustworthy at his work
anup patil
anup patil
1692151094
Very much professional in his work, always approachable and responds quickly to all the calls or messages.Very much knowledgeable and smart to his work . Never took unnecessary charges/ fees .
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