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A child endangerment conviction can have severe consequences in your life and future. Penalties include a misdemeanor or felony conviction on your permanent record, steep fines, prison time, and permanent damage to your reputation and ability to pass a background check.
Any person facing conviction should contact a seasoned defense attorney at Schiller & Hamilton to discuss their case. If you are confronting these serious charges, contact an experienced Beaufort child endangerment lawyer as soon as possible to discuss the details of your arrest.
State Child Endangerment Laws in Beaufort
Under the South Carolina Code § 56-5-2947, the state can charge an adult with child endangerment if they put a minor in physical danger while at the same time exposing them to hazardous adult or illegal situations. A person can face charges for the following:
- An arrest for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with a minor under 15 years old in the vehicle
- Failure to use state-approved child safety restraints
- Placing a minor in the presence of illicit drug use or firearms
- Exposing an underage person to pornography
- Failing to remove a minor from dangerous situations, including domestic violence
If an adult is reckless while a child is in their care, a court has cause to charge them with child endangerment. A child endangerment attorney in Beaufort could help review someone’s case and prepare a defense strategy best suited for them.
Penalties for Risking a Minor’s Safety
A person whom the state finds guilty of endangering a minor faces severe consequences. Penalties include fines and a prison sentence not to exceed one-half of the underlying conviction and driver’s license suspension for 60 days. The court adds punishment for child endangerment to penalties for underlying charges and sentences.
Unlawful Conduct Toward a Minor
Unlawful conduct toward a child is one of the most common criminal charges parents, or guardians face in the state. Per S.C. Code § 63-5-70, an adult is guilty of unlawful conduct towards a minor if they place them at unreasonable risk of harm. The adult is also guilty of illegal conduct if they cause bodily harm to the underage person and place the minor’s life or health at risk.
Punishments for Unlawful Actions
Child endangerment charges of any type, including unlawful conduct, carry harsh punishments. For example, willfully abandoning a minor is cause for unlawful conduct conviction. Penalties include a felony conviction and up to ten years in prison. A knowledgeable child neglect and endangerment attorney in Beaufort could answer questions on potential penalties a person faces.
Call a Skilled Child Endangerment Attorney in Beaufort
A child endangerment conviction can cause substantial fees, sentencings, and hardships. A conviction of this type of crime will continue to have negative consequences on your life for years to come. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a parent or guardian to face these charges even if they did not intend to place the minor in harm’s way.
Contact a qualified Beaufort child endangerment lawyer for the best chance of a positive outcome. Legal counsel at Schiller & Hamilton has extensive knowledge in this field could help you navigate the complex system and present the best potential defense. Call now to learn more about your options.